Blog article: Discover Toronto’s Open Data: Play Our Treasure Hunt Puzzle

Published on March 9, 2026
Discover Toronto’s Open Data: Play Our Treasure Hunt Puzzle

Article text

To celebrate Open Data Week, we’re excited to introduce the 2026 OD Day Treasure Hunt Puzzle, a self‑guided acrostic-poem style puzzle that invites you to learn about Toronto through it’s open data catalogue.

As you play, you’ll:

  • Adventure into the data catalogue on open.toronto.ca
  • Explore real city datasets
  • Learn surprising facts about Toronto
  • Gradually reveal the “secret” that’s created by the first letter of each clue’s answer

The treasure hunt is open to everyone!

We know that open data can sometimes feel intimidating, especially if you’re new to it. This treasure hunt was designed to make open data approachable, engaging, and fun!

What you’ll need to play:

  • A computer to search for datasets on open.toronto.ca
  • Software of your choice to view and explore datasets
  • Basic skills to filter, search, and manipulate datasets
  • Your curiosity!

How to play:

  1. Find the answer to each puzzle clue. All answers can be found in our datasets on open.toronto.ca, but might appear online elsewhere too! (no ChatGPT cheating!). There are apps/maps that give clues.
  2. Fill in the answer sheet.
  3. Discover the “secret” that’s created by the first letter of each answer.
  4. Share your answers with us on our social media channels X, LinkedIn and BlueSky

While there’s no monetary prize for finding the secret, the first person to reply with the correct “secret phrase” will be invited to have lunch with our team!

Share Your Experience

We’d love to hear how your treasure hunt goes. Share what you discovered, what surprised you, or what you’d like to explore next.

Happy hunting!

Answer sheet and Clues

  1. What was the #8 most common dog name for all licensed dogs in 2022?
  2. Which Parks & Recreation facility has both wi-fi and ping pong tables?
  3. What City-owned child care center is located at 3495 Lake Shore Blvd W?
  4. Which City of Toronto dog off leash park has a wading pool for dogs (aka a dog fountain!)?
  5. On which street is the City’s only recorded Acer tataricum ‘Garann’ street tree located?
  6. Which intersection had the 2nd most red light camera charges in 2025?
  7. On what street is the condo with this Short Term Rental operator registration number: STR-2412-HMWSBX?
  8. At what intersection was a truck fire incident called in to Toronto Fire on January 6th 2011?
  9. Which business has the business license number: B71-5228678?
  10. On which Ward 2 street is there a building with 17 storeys, and 73 units?
  11. On which street is the sewer gravity main with the largest diameter?
  12. What is the Eastern-most beach sampled daily for water quality by City of Toronto during summer?
  13. What is the name of the ward designated as Ward 3?
  14. What is the largest theatre available for rent via Toronto Public Library, by capacity?
  15. What was the #1 service request type made of 311, in 2025?
  16. What is the largest BIA in Toronto?
  17. What is the title of the granite public art piece created by Peter Roller, located at Scarborough Civic Centre?