Sundial Folly

Recipient of the Peter Stokes Restoration Award: Small-Scale/Individual/Small Business

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The Sundial Folly is a unique public art sculpture in Toronto’s Harbour Square Park, installed in 1995. It embodies Toronto’s rich industrial heritage through its materials—self-weathering steel reminiscent of port freighters and machinery, copper banding designed to develop a historic blue-green patina, and concrete elements that blend naturally with the environment. Designed to evolve over time, the sculpture interacts with weather and natural elements, creating a living artwork that links the city’s industrial past to its waterfront present. 

The restoration project faced significant challenges. Structural cracking in the precast concrete sphere’s support required a fast-setting, colour-matched repair mortar with corrosion inhibitors to maintain both strength and appearance. Preserving the weathered look of the steel while ensuring durability called for specialized Cor-ten weathering steel. The sculpture’s location over a shoreline in a park prevented use of heavy machinery; therefore, all materials and steel components were manually moved and installed with traditional block and tackle equipment supported by access scaffolding. Temporary supports were carefully engineered to stabilize delicate cast elements while allowing repair access. Additionally, complex cleaning was needed to remove layers of graffiti without damaging the surfaces or harming the environment.

By preserving this dynamic, evolving artwork, the project reinforced local identity and pride, providing the public continued access to an important site. The application of anti-graffiti coatings and durable materials ensures long-term protection, reducing future maintenance needs and preserving the sculpture’s integrity for visitors alike.

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