Once upon a time, a 7-year-old boy ran through the grassy walls of a fantastical hedge maze. It was part of his youth: coming to Toronto Island Park and getting lost in the Alice in Wonderland-style puzzle. The boy grew up to be Repo-man William Meany, and when he returned to Toronto from Calgary this year, he expected to see the maze once more and relive those feelings of imagination.

When Meany arrived, it was gone. He was blown away. “I thought it had only existed in my dreams,” the Mississauga-bred businessman told the Toronto Star, looking out over the field that once was the site of a seemingly magical maze. He would do whatever it took to bring it back. Or, you know, pay whatever.

The maze was once a big part of Toronto Island Park, and for half a century it stood proudly. But trees towering over the maze blocked the cedar hedges from the sun and the plants withered. Refurbishment and maintenance were deemed too expensive and in 2011 the maze was razed and taken out of service.

Meany called up the City of Toronto to see what he could do. He’s offered to donate $200,000 to bring back the maze to its original glory and design. It would be at an alternate location, remodelled under the hand of a design architect, and take Meany’s name. The parks committee was intrigued. 

On Monday, the city council will make the decision to approve or reject his proposal. Toronto romantics are holding their breath. For Meany, the donation is a testament to his past and a gift to the children of Toronto.

[via Toronto Star]

____