A Toronto Island hedge maze that once fell into disrepair has been brought back to life thanks to a Canadian businessman, who donated more than $200,000 towards the project.
William Meany, who's originally from Mississauga but now calls Calgary home, visited Toronto in 2012. During his visit, he was surprised to learn the maze that had captured his imagination as a young boy on Toronto Island had been dismantled after it was crowded out by shade trees.
"The maze was the highlight of my visit to Toronto Island Park as a child," Meany said in a statement released on Friday. "When I found out it had been removed, I knew I had to do something to bring back this Toronto treasure."
Working with the City of Toronto, Meany donated all of the materials necessary to rebuild the maze as it was originally designed by the late Peter Vanderwerf, a landscape designer, in 1967.
Construction of the new maze got underway in May 2014. More than 1,200 black cedars were planted approximately 50 metres northwest of the original labyrinth.
The maze was completed in September 2014, but officially opened on Friday so that the trees had enough time to take root in its new environment.
"Toronto residents and visitors may now explore the William Meany Maze," Coun. Pam McConnell said. "Everyone can look forward to spending hours of fun in this Toronto Island Park gem."
