Peterborough’s Riverview Park and Zoo has launched a fundraising campaign to replace the locomotive in its popular miniature train ride, with a limited-edition train ride jigsaw puzzle now available.
Established in 1974 by James Hamilton, the miniature train ride features a miniature replica of an 1860 locomotive (nicknamed “Rosco”) that is old and needs to be replaced.
Riverview Park and Zoo, an accredited zoo operated by Peterborough Utilities Commission, is seeking to raise $300,000 to replace the locomotive by 2023.
“The attraction has provided income that sustains the operations and helps to make necessary capital improvements at the Park and Zoo,” reads a media release.
With long-time supporters Ross and Ann Dobbin kicking off the fundraising campaign with an undisclosed “cornerstone investment” that includes naming rights for the new locomotive, the Riverview Park and Zoo is now reaching out to area residents and community partners to raise the remaining funds needed to replace the locomotive.
To raise awareness around the train replacement campaign and to raise funds toward the new train costs, Riverview Park and Zoo has partnered with local businesses to sell a 308-piece 11-by-17-inch jigsaw puzzle of the current 1860 locomotive replica.
The puzzle is available for $20 at local retailers — including Brant Basics, Griffin’s Greenhouse, Fork in the Road Country Market, House of Scales, and Ennismore Pharmacy — with all proceeds going to the train replacement campaign.
Other retailers, businesses, or organizations that want to bulk order the puzzle can contact Riverview Park and Zoo at connect@riverviewparkandzoo.ca or 705-748-9301 x2304.
Beyond the jigsaw puzzle fundraiser, the train replacement campaign also includes investment opportunities for businesses and organizations, including sponsoring the train station platform for $100,000, sponsoring one of three passenger coaches for $25,000, dedicating one of 21 seat benches for $5,000, and dedicating one of two accessible seat benches for $7,500.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities for the the train replacement campaign, contact Paul Hartung at 705-743-2195 or paulhartung@hotmail.com.
