There are some crimes that you have to shake your head at. Chester the Bear, a public art installation, has been stolen from the Storybook Trail at Woodchester in Bracebridge.
The Town was notified that Chester is missing from his home along the trail. The chain that was used to secure the sculpture appears to have been cut.
Chester was carved onsite by Precision Carvings during the Bracebridge 150 Community Celebration and Showcase in 2025 and was generously donated to the Town. Following a community naming contest that received more than 80 submissions, the bear was named Chester, with 15 people submitting the winning name.
Since his arrival on the Storybook Trail, Chester has become a popular stop for families and visitors enjoying the trail and its local story. His disappearance is particularly disappointing given the community connection to the sculpture and the generosity that brought him to the trail.
The Town is asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area, has information about Chester’s whereabouts, or may have relevant video footage to contact the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) at 1-888-310-1122. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
