The City of Pickering is helping Mr. Dressup’s legacy live on.

The late Ernie Coombs, who played Mr. Dressup in the iconic children’s TV show, used to live in Pickering and now there’s a sculpture of him in East Woodlands Park, east of Highway 2 and Rougemount Drive.

It was unveiled during a ceremony on Friday.

The sculpture is called “Mr. Dressup’s Magic” and it was created by artist Kseniya Tsoy. She is a cultural producer and community-engaged artist whose practice explores the intersection of creativity, social innovation and play envisioning arts and culture as dynamic vehicles for positive societal change.

The art piece depicts Mr.  Dressup in his six-armed tuxedo, which was one of his favourite costumes. He’s holding a paintbrush and palette, a pencil, scissors, a tambourine and a book in his hands. His Tickle Trunk is beside him, overflowing with a cheerful horse mask, a costume, a colorful xylophone, musical notes and sparkling magical shapes.

The objects symbolize the different avenues of creative self-expression, storytelling, magic and wonder he shared with his audience. A rainbow behind him speaks to inclusivity and boundless imagination.

Mr. Dressup debuted in 1967 and was on air until 1996.

Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe spoke to the CKDO Morning Show with Terry Johnston about the unveiling on Monday’s show. You can listen below:

https://www.durhamradionews.com/wp-content/uploads/Kevin-Ashe-May-11-2026.mp3

Photo courtesy of City of Pickering

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