Trotting down to this park will make you smile!

How often do you see a 4 m tall seemingly fluffy guardian looking over a forest adventure? 

Standing guard over St Basil’s at St. Michael’s College, is a large bronze statue of a donkey. Wearing pink cast and warm eyes, it feels like an act of defiance against the surrounding building, reminiscent of a My Little Pony. 

The piece is titled ‘Primrose’, its namesake is a small baby donkey who became a viral story of warmth and inspiration. Being unable to walk when it was born due to a birth defect, vets assisted by applying two bright pink casts to help them grow. The sight of this try hard baby bouncing around brought an outpouring of love, the public naming it ‘The Wonky Donkey’ once the story had become mainstream.

Myfanwy MacLeod, the artist who created Primrose, wanted to give children a connection to this work.  So, before it was erected, children came and signed the pink cast. This tradition is still being continued as children add their own well wishes, usually while stopping for a photo. 

Just south of Primrose, on the corner is one of the many urban parks that dot downtown, Clover Hill Park has it’s own surprises, hidden in the shadow of an adored donkey. 

Clover Hill Park is a corner wonderland on Bay, near Wellesley. You can casually walk by and almost miss the toadstools available for sitting, minus the caterpillar. Alone, they are a cute discovery on an afternoon walk. After you’ve sat down, you are greeted by the rest of the park’s points of whimsy.

There are some long concrete benches built along the fencing. It’s prime real estate for observing the warren of rabbits munching the grass. With one of them standing guard, paying little regard to the raccoon nearby.

It has a relaxing magic that infects passers-by. The puzzled squint as they pass, followed usually with a private smile. Much like Alice’s Wonderland. 

 Something to be enjoyed about art is how it changes over time. Water drips onto the wooden animals and gives them spots and stripes. As the wood on the snail shells have weathered and cracked,the grain of the wood becomes more visible.  Giving them a beautiful pattern, and more personality. 

It’s a wonderful thing to live in a city with so many people. The number of incredible places you can find, made by people whose goal it is to bring joy. For all of us. It’s almost a duty to search these places out and explore our neighbourhoods. How else do you learn about where you live? Remember to take a nice walk today. Turn down a different street, look for a park you have never seen. Consider being outside an important and healthy way to brighten your day!