One of the icons of Canada's Wonderland turns 50 today, Sept. 13, a perpetually scared dog named Scooby-Doo. His 1969 TV series only survived two seasons, but his larger success helped pave the way for Vaughan's headline tourist attraction.

Hanna-Barbera was in a bit of a creative rut. Much to the chagrin of parents' groups, the prolific animation studio was largely churning out a superhero-heavy lineup during the 1960s. Networks were pressured to try something new, something less violent. The result, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, introduced the world to four mystery obsessed teenagers and their Great Dane. Along with Wacky Races, Scooby spurred on a creative Renaissance for Hanna-Barbera, bringing new hits like Jabberjaw and Captain Caveman.

Hanna-Barbera's owner, Taft Broadcasting, decided by 1972 to expand its theme park business into Canada. Consultation with officials at the Town of Vaughan began the next year, with a public announcement in 1975, spawning skepticism and detraction.

By the time that Canada's Wonderland opened in 1981, the studio in another rut, producing forgettable shows like The Bungle Brothers and Crazy Claws. Mercifully, the studio was wise enough to recycle their stronger characters in new series like Laff-A-Lympics, The Flintstone Comedy Hour, and The Richie Rich/Scooby-Doo.

Scooby joined Fred and Yogi Bear as one of the key characters wandering about the park's Hanna-Barbera Land kids section. The centre of the kids' area was dubbed Scoobyville, featuring Scooby's Gasping Ghoster Coaster, his likeness on the carousel, and toys of him in the Character House store.

Hanna-Barbera's influence was waning in the 1990s, with its strangle-hold on Saturdays loosened by the introduction of cable television channels solely for kids. Paramount Parks purchased Wonderland in 1993, from KECO and its latest partner, Trizec. Smurf Village became Kids' Kingdom, featuring the Rugrats, and Bedrock became Nickelodeon Central.

But Scooby-Doo not only survived, he thrived. New cartoons and live action movies helped reboot the show's fan base. The park introduced a dark ride, Scooby-Doo's Haunted Mansion, in 2000. "Scooby-Doo and the Ghost in the Attic" ran at the park's Playhouse Theatre in 2001 and 2002. Snack counter Granny's Sweets became Scooby's Snacks in 2008. Even in 2009, the canine was making daily appearances at front gate, and appearing in the ice skating show.

Planet Snoopy replaced Nickelodeon Central and Hanna-Barbera Land for the 2010 season. Scooby's last walk in the park was on Nov. 1, 2009.

—Nick Moreau worked at Canada's Wonderland in 2008 and 2009, occasionally assisting Scooby-Doo. He writes history columns for the Brampton Guardian and Mississauga News.

