Parkdale

Parkdale Village - "A Vibrant Commercial Strip between Roncesvalles & Dufferin"

History: Parkdale’s history began in the late 1880’s when it was an elite residential suburb, that rivalled Rosedale as Toronto’s most desirable address. Parkdale’s popularity led to its incorporation as a village in 1878. Then in 1889, after many heated public debates, Parkdale’s citizens voted in favour of amalgamation with the City of Toronto.

Parkdale, became Toronto’s playground by the lake in 1922, when the Sunnyside Amusement Park and Bathing Pavilion opened for business on Parkdale’s beaches. Sunnyside was the place to be and be seen for a generation of Torontonians.

In 1956, Sunnyside was shut down by the city in order to make room for the Gardiner Expressway and a revamped Lake Shore Boulevard. Unfortunately, these new expressways cut Parkdale off from the lake and its glorious past. Parkdale then went in to a period of decline that it is still recovering from today.

Overview: Parkdale still has many ‘big city’ social problems to contend with. However these concerns are being addressed by a local residents group known as the Parkdale Community Watch. The Parkdale Community watch received an award as the best neighbourhood watch group. This award was presented by the International Society of rime Prevention.

The Parkdale neighbourhood possesses many positive attributes. It has some of Toronto’s most vibrant shopping districts, wonderful tree lined streets, affordable Victorian homes, and impressive mansions that remind onlookers that Parkdale was once Toronto’s wealthiest district. Parkdale is also within walking distance of Toronto’s waterfront parks.

Homes:

South Parkdale’s grandiose mansions were built between 1875 and 1895. Some parkdale home of these houses have been converted into bachelorettes or rooming houses however the current by laws advocate restoring these houses to single family use.

The houses in the north end of Parkdale, above Queen Street, are more modest that their South Parkdale counterparts, but are no less charming. These houses were built between 1900 and 1910.

Shopping: The main commercial shopping area in Parkdale has historically been on Queen Street. This vibrant shopping district seems to be on a state of perpetual activity; it includes an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants.

The Roncesvalles Village shopping district, north of Queen Street, is the cultural centre of Toronto’s Polish community. There are many outstanding food markets, delis, and restaurants along this route.

Recreation: Parkdale is conveniently located within walking distance of High Park and the recreational paths and parks along Toronto’s waterfront. Parkdale has four community centers that serve the residents of this neighbourhood. They include Holy Family Community Recreation Center on Close Avenune, Masryk-Cowan Community Recreation Center on Cowan Avenue, McCormick Recreation Center on Sheridan Avenue, and the Parkdale Community Center on West Lodge Avenue.

The Parkdale Public Library on Queen Street and the High Park Public Library on Roncesvalles, both provide programming for Parkdale residents.

Schools:

(P) Fern Avenue Jr. & Sr., 128 Fern Ave., (416) 393-9130

(P) Gordon Avenue Jr., 225 Garde\n Ave., (416) 393-9165

(P) Howard J., 30 Marmaduke Street., (416) 393-9255

(P) Parkdale Jr. & Sr., 46 West Lodge Ave., (416) 393-1280

(P) Queen Victoria Jr., 100 Close Ave., (416) 393-9200

(PH) Bloor Collegiate Institute, 1141 Bloor St. W., (416) 393-1420

(PH) Parkdale Collegiate, 209 Jameson Ave., (416) 393-9000

Transportation:

Streetcar service on Queen Street, King Street, Dundas Street, Roncesvalles Avenue, and Macdonell Avenue, connect passengers to the downtown, or to subway stations on the Bloor-Danforth subway line. Motorists are just minutes from downtown. There is direct access to both the Grdiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard, at the south end of Parkdale.

parkdale map