Royal City Park’s ‘Garbasaurus’ to see its next restoration
Posted Aug 15, 2026 10:52:28 AM.
Last Updated Aug 15, 2026 10:59:47 AM.
In Guelph’s Royal City Park stands a reminder of how much garbage can be found in our rivers and oceans. The Garbasaurus was created by Greg Elliot. The 647-pound display represents how much trash was removed from the Speed and Eramosa rivers in 1979.
Weighing as much as the total amount of trash that was cleared in 1979, Elliott used a variety of the most commonly found items that were collected in the rivers like:
- Tires
- Hubcaps
- Shopping carts
- Mix of scrap metal
The sculpture was put on display in Royal City Park in 1999. Though its first restoration came quickly in 2000 after being vandalized.
With its last conservation effort being in 2018, the large art piece has begun showing some age again. In a news release, the City of Guelph says that it is still structurally stable. Although, recent assessments have found some parts missing, loose attachments, and overall wear.
Greg Elliot will be in charge of the repairs. Garbasaurus will be fenced off from Aug. 17 to Aug. 21, while repairs are ongoing.
In Guelph’s release, they say that Elliot envisions his piece as a reminder to the younger generation about why environmental conservation is so important.
More information about Garbasaurus and its conservation can be found here.
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