Zombie Doll Factory

 

Location: West Bend neighbourhood

Date photo taken: 19 October 2025

I've said it before. I absolutely love the creativity that Torontonians demonstrate at Halloween. While I'm sure there are hotbeds of creative expression spread throughout the city, each year I head for the West Bend neighbourhood to get my Halloween fix. This year it did not disappoint - one yard even provided a jump scare. It's also where I found this charming display. You're only seeing a piece of it here, but  those figures top left represent a long line of Barbie and Disney princess-style dolls waiting patiently for transformation. The rest of the yard is populated with an incredible display of zombie dolls, each one waiting for their chance to star in your next nightmare.

Flyer

Location: Princes' Blvd, Canadian National Exhibition

Date photo taken: 24 August 2024

For those with an interest in heritage, there is always something to appreciate at the Ex. Most of the time it's in the background, like the Charles McKechnie figures in the Heritage Court or the outline of Fort Rouillé in the southern garden, but this year history is deliberately more in focus. An exhibit in the Withrow Common Gallery looks back at the relationship between the CNE and the AGO, and in the Enercare Centre, the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions is celebrated with an exhibit dedicated to carnivals. On display are photos, ephemera and artifacts from past midways, including cars from the Flyer, a roller coaster built on the CNE grounds in 1953. The cars, like the illuminated letters pictured here, were salvaged when the Flyer was dismantled in 1992. The CNE Association refurbished the sign and restored the cars and both are now ready for your selfie moment. 

Lantern of Love and Peace

 

Location: Nathan Phillips Square

Date photo taken: 14 December 2023

This year the Cavalcade of Lights in Nathan Phillips Square includes a number of softly glowing Chinese lanterns. Most are large spheres adorned with flower patterns, like the ones pictured here, but there is also a much larger, more intricate dragon boat. The lanterns were hand crafted by artisans from Zigong in China’s Sichuan province. They're presented at City Hall thanks to a partnership with Woodside Square Shopping Centre in Scarborough. Last year they hosted a large outdoor Lantern Festival and they've brought it back this year. While you can visit during the day, the lanterns are lit from 4:30 to 9 pm daily. 

Playing Tiger, Sittin' Dragon

 

Location: Gristmill Lane, Distillery District

Date photo taken: 7 July 2022

This large, vaguely human-shaped block is one of 13 arrayed in a line down Gristmill Lane in the Distillery right now as part of 6IX Art Outdoors. Each statue provides a canvas for a Canadian artist to share something of their personal identity and their culture. This particular one features a family portrait by Yen Linh Thai, who represents her family members through their zodiac animals. The exhibit is part of the Lavazza IncluCity Festival which runs until July 17.

Control No Control

 

Location: Harbourfront Centre

Date photo taken: 9 February 2022

I used to really look forward to the Toronto Light Festival. Brightening up our long January nights with light-based art installations seemed brilliant. That tradition is back in a new form. Harbourfront Centre and Fjord Studio out of Norway are co-presenting Nordic Lights, a series of pieces by Canadian and Nordic artists. There are six in total, a mix of physical works and projection-based art. You can follow the provided map, or just wander through the park and discover each for yourself. Pictured here is Control No Control by Montreal-based studio Iregular. It's mesmerizing to stand back and watch, but if you're more hands on, it also reacts to touch.

Ornamental Seating

 

Location: Scotia Plaza, concourse level

Date photo taken: 21 December 2021

Happy Holidays! May you find the time to stop, rest and recharge while surrounded by things that bring you joy.

Tagging Trash

Location: Promenade next to Sugar Beach

Date photo taken: 23 June 2021

How often do you think about trash? Perhaps more now than you used to, but I'm going to guess that the average Torontonian still doesn't spend much time thinking deeply about garbage. It's probably a good thing then that someone is thinking about it. One such group is the U of T Trash Team. Among their projects is Fighting Floatables, which aims to understand the problem of trash in Toronto harbour. They perform visual audits as a first step and then deploy trash capture devices in the water to trap floating debris. Collected material is then subjected to both a simple daily quantification and a deep dive analysis. This year they've added another layer to this by releasing plastic bottles containing GPS trackers into Lake Ontario. The bottles act like any other trash in the water, and the GPS trackers help the team understand how trash moves around the waterfront. They've made the movement maps available online so you can see for yourself how the move bottles around. It's one more way they're striving to create an "engaged waste-literate community where citizens are actively working to protect people, wildlife and the planet through the intersection of science, policy, community engagement and innovation that promote waste reduction."

Toronto Hearts

Location: Yonge-Dundas Square

Date photo taken: 14 July 2021

Exploring the ravines is definitely one of the things I love about Toronto. Also Cafes and Patios, The Raptors and the Toronto Zoo. Apparently I'm not alone in loving these things. Members of the community were recently asked what they love about the city and their responses can now be found on hearts like this one, carefully spaced across Yonge-Dundas Square. In addition to calling out all the things we love about our city, these hearts also help us with physical distancing as the city starts to re-open. 

For the greener good

 

Location: Bruce Mackey Park

Date photo taken: 21 March 2021

If you've spent any time in Riverside lately, you've probably seen a tree or two wrapped in a green plastic ribbon. I don't know when they first started appearing, but I first encountered them shortly after St. Patrick's Day. I have to admit I was a bit irked. I assumed someone had decided to green up their neighbourhood for the day and was in no hurry to reverse the process. I am therefore thankful to whoever it was who had the foresight to attach plastic-covered information sheets to a smattering of the trees. The green ribbons are part of a campaign by local residents to raise awareness about the new Ontario Line and the effects that it will have on their neighbourhood. While much of the line will be underground, the portion running through this area will be built at level, adjacent to the existing rail corridor. This happens to be where most of the green space and recreational facilities are located, putting them at risk. Save Jimmie Simpson! is working to engage residents in the fight to have this portion of the line buried. Visit their site to learn more. They've also got some cute buttons for sale.

Santa's Computer

 

Location: Hudson's Bay Company, Queen Street West

Date photo taken: 23 December 2020

This friendly looking computer, which keeps track of the GPS coordinates for those on the NICE list among other things, is one of the animated Christmas windows on display at the Hudson's Bay store on Queen Street. It's the second year that the windows have offered the same behind the scenes glimpses into Santa's operations, but this year the Nutcrackers flanking the windows are sporting masks and holding signs with messages such as "Be safe, wear a mask" and "Thank you for practicing social distancing".

Toronto Club Under Wraps

 

Location: 107 Wellington St. W.

Date photo taken: 20 July 2020

With all that protective wrapping, don't you just wonder what's going on in there? While I wasn't able to find out for sure, it's a pretty safe bet that it's not demolition. The building hidden under there is the Toronto Club, Canada's oldest private club. At first I thought that all of this might be to protect the heritage designated building while the recladding took place on the adjacent tower (note the scaffolding and metalwork running up the building on the left) but comments online indicate that the club might also be working on their brick work. It will be interesting to see what emerges from this temporary cocoon.

If like me, you find wrapped buildings interesting, you might want to check out a photographic series done a few years ago by artist William Mokrynski. 

The Big Social: AR Edition

 

Location: Natrel Pond, Harbourfront Centre, Queens Quay

Date photo taken: 6 October 2020

If the fine fall weather that is about to hit the city entices you outside and you find yourself in the vicinity of Harbourfront Centre, make your way to the Natrel Pond to experience THE BIG SOCIAL: AR Edition. Using your own tablet or phone you can access a series of dance presentations brought to life on the pond right in front of you, thanks to this augmented reality experience presented by Fall For Dance North. I had initially intended to use a screen capture for the image here but decided that would be a spoiler! The show is available from dawn til dusk until October 18th and it's a great way to enjoy Toronto's arts and culture scene while socially distancing.

Gardiner Rehabilitation

 

Location: below the Gardiner Expressway

Date photo taken: 30 August 2020

The Gardiner Expressway, named for Frederick G. Gardiner, the first chair of the former Metro Toronto Council, was constructed between 1956 and 1965, making parts of it over 60 years old. Regular wear and tear combined with weather and the effects of road salt have taken their toll and in 2019 the first phase of the Gardiner Expressway Rehabilitation Strategy was implemented. The focus for this first phase is the section between Jarvis and Cherry Streets, at the eastern end, and represents approximately 1.5 kilometers of the elevated portion of the expressway. The deck is being replaced using a new method known as accelerated bridge construction in which replacement sections are pre-fabricated elsewhere (in this case, in very large tent-like structures just to the east of the site) and then transported  and lowered into position. Work on this section, including repairing the ramps, is expected to be completed in 2021.

#DYK that the expressway is 18 kms long, with 11 km at grade and 7 km elevated? For more facts, and some great early photos, check out About the Gardiner Expressway on the City's website.

Lakeside Pumpkinseed

Location: Lakeshore Road, between Lower Sherbourne and Richardson St.
Date photo taken: 29 July 2020

This image of Toronto is from the block long mural currently to be found on the construction hoarding around the Lakeside Residences site on Lakeshore. By artist Pam Lostracco, the scene reflects both the built city and the nature that surrounds it. Water plants, birds and fish, such as this pumpkinseed, all represent local species. Each is identified by name and rendered actual size, so walking the length of the mural can be an educational experience. The hoarding itself is reflective, so in addition to the city being reflected in the water of the mural, the mural itself also reflects the sky and its neighbour, the Gardiner Expressway. The uneven surface also reflects taillights in a beautiful way at night.

Toronto Light Festival 2020 - Sydmonaut

Location: Distillery District
Date photo taken: 12 February 2020

Back for its fourth year, the Toronto Light Festival has once again brought light and colour to the darkest months of winter. The Distillery District is hosting installations from 13 different artists representing 5 countries. Some, such as the Cloud Swings, are interactive. Others like the Sydmonauts are just there to discover. Designed by Amigo & Amigo from Australia, there are 9 astronauts in total scattered around the site.

The Light Festival is free to attend and continues to March 1.

Gingerbread House for Humanity

Location: Allen Lambert Galleria, Brookfield Place
Date photo taken: 3 December 2019

On December 7th, Habitat for Humanity will be hosting their annual Gingerbread Build. The tenants of Brookfield Place got in on the action a bit early, and have set the bar pretty high! This pretty pink house, casting a warm glow from within, especially caught my eye. Today was the last day for the display in the Allen Lambert Galleria, but winners will be announced on the 5th.

Families wishing to build their own house can pick up a kit containing a pre-assembled gingerbread house form, plus everything needed for decorating, all for $50. Proceeds go toward supporting Habitat for Humanity's programs.

Are there letters in that mailbox?

Location: Yonge Street, north of King

Date photo taken: 2 November 2019

Yes, that's Leonard Cohen on that mailbox. Over two years in the making, this past September Canada Post released 3 commemorative stamps to coincide with what would have been Leonard Cohen's 85th birthday. Since then, mailboxes and mail trucks have hit the streets wrapped in his likeness. For fans and philatelists, several products are available, from standard 9 pack stamp booklets to more collectible 6 and 12 stamp panes and a set of 4 first day covers. 

What's this?

Location: Distillery District
Date photo taken: 7 June 2019

Three huge, glowing white forms, humanoid but alien, have landed in the Distillery District. We are all encouraged to interact with them. One is even called Poke, but only gently please. These figures are part of a larger art project known as Fantastic Planet, the creation of Amanda Parer and Parer Studios, the ones responsible for the huge bunnies that intruded upon Brookfield Place back in 2016. The inspiration for the project was the stop motion film of the same name from 1973. Toronto isn't the only city these figures will be visiting. Over the summer they will also make appearances in Bilbao, Central Queensland and L.A. They'll be hanging out in the Distillery until July 31.