Please Don’t Feed the Artifacts!

City of Toronto regulations prohibit feeding wildlife in parks because “food-conditioning” puts animals at risk.

An often-overlooked risk is the impact this practice has on Guild Park’s historic stone. Some people come to the site with cameras and food. They pour seeds or leave leftovers on the flat surfaces of the artifacts, then snap their “money shot” photos when wildlife gather.

Droppings from birds, squirrels, and other animals build up on and around the stones. Beyond being visually unpleasant, this causes long-term damage.

Droppings retain moisture, release soluble salts into the stone’s pores, and deposit nutrients that encourage lichen and fungi growth. When salts crystallize inside the pores, they can fracture the stone. Lichen and fungi obscure carved details and slowly produce acids that erode surfaces over time.

If you love the park as much as we do, please don’t feed the animals — or the artifacts.

Why Protecting Guild Park’s Sculpture Garden Matters

The sculptures and architectural relics at Guild Park form an outdoor gallery and public archive of Toronto’s history. Without ongoing care, these irreplaceable pieces may not endure for future generations.

Outdoor artworks face constant exposure to wind, water, freeze–thaw cycles, pollutants, biological growth, and physical wear. Historic objects are particularly vulnerable.

Many relics at Guild Park have already survived demolition, relocation, and decades of environmental exposure. Continued deterioration is both a conservation issue and a public safety concern.

Regular conservation of Guild Park’s art and relics is not currently included in the City of Toronto’s operating budget. Public awareness and responsible use therefore play an essential role. If you see graffiti or damage, please report it promptly by calling 3-1-1.

Lilla Lengyel, Graduate, Fleming College 

Cultural Heritage Conservation & Management

Director, Friends of Guild Park