Dear Readers, I don’t know what it is about wet concrete that means that animals want to walk in it, but it is fun to be in Toronto and to see footprints that you’d never see in the UK. The prints above are, I think, those of a raccoon (known semi-affectionately as ‘trash pandas’ around here), probably the most ingenious and adaptable animals in Canada. I’ve written about them before; – there was the story about how raccoons broke into the so-called ‘raccoon-proof bins’ introduced by Toronto mayor John Tory (and yes, yes he was a Tory) – they managed to ‘crack the lock’ within days of the bins being deployed. And then there were the raccoons that broke into a Toronto bank (well, with those black masks it had to happen eventually I guess!)

It seems as if Toronto has reached ‘peak raccoon’, though, with the creation of a new children’s playground called ‘Raccoon Park’ (located close to Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue East).

Raccoon Park

While not everyone loves raccoons, the local councillor, Josh Matlow, who opened the park, had a few things to say about it.

“I know that not everyone is wild about the raccoons, but this is our way of signing a peace accord, saying we celebrate Toronto’s icon, but most importantly, have a little fun with it,” he said.

“If any raccoon does come to this park, they will be safe. They do have safe harbour here at Raccoon Park,” he added.

Now, if only it wasn’t going to be below zero and snowing later this week, I would probably go to take a look.