Bendale is a community, with a mix of cultures and average income situated close to TTC and Go Transit routes. Notable places in the area include Thompson Memorial Park, Scarborough Town Shopping Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre and Scarborough General Hospital.
History Of Bendale, Toronto
Bendale was founded in 1796 by David and Mary Thomson the settlers, in the former Scarborough Township. David’s brothers, Andrew and Archibald also established their homes nearby. The Thomson Memorial Park pays tribute to this pioneering family. Notable landmarks within the park include the “Springfield House ” constructed in 1840 by James, Andrew Thomson’s son and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church erected in 1849 on land donated by David Thomson.
Originally known as Benlomond and with a post office named so in 1878 Bendale had to change its name to Bendale in 1881 due to a naming conflict. The modern neighbourhood emerged in the 1950s adopting the name Bendale for its school, park and boulevard.
Lifestyle
The Scarborough Town Shopping Centre, situated off McCowan Road north of Ellesmere Road stands out as one of the shopping destinations in Toronto boasting a diverse array of over two hundred shops and dining establishments. Moving along Lawrence Avenue you’ll find a strip that includes a variety of offerings such as a discount department store, a spacious supermarket, a home care centre, a dollar store popular fast food eateries, an oriental supermarket, new car dealerships, a bingo club and several quaint shopping plazas.
Heading south on Danforth Road from Lawrence Avenue leads you to spots like a country farm market, a stocked drug store, convenient corner stores and inviting restaurants. Meanwhile the Birkdale Plaza off Ellesmere Road showcases an East restaurant alongside options, like a grocery store, clothing boutique and video rental shop.
Bendale, Toronto Parks & Facilities
Thomson Memorial Park, found off Brimley Road is where you’ll discover the Scarborough Historical Museum. It is known as one of Toronto’s parks with plenty of great spots for picnics. The park also boasts a children’s zoo and a range of facilities such as a trail, sports fields, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, wading pool, playground for kids and even a snack bar. In the winter months you can enjoy activities like country skiing, skating and tobogganing there. Over at the Birkdale Community Centre on 1299 Ellesmere Road you’ll find meeting rooms for gatherings. The park nearby features a trail that links up with Thomson Memorial Park.
There’s no shortage of fun at the parks and recreational spots in Bendale. From playgrounds for kids to sports areas, dog spaces to skating rinks – Bendale has it all covered! With 15 parks in Bendale offering a total of 49 facilities combined across them all; that averages out to about 3 facilities, per park.
Bendale, Toronto Transit
The buses that run along Midland Avenue and McCowan Road can take you to the stations, on the Bloor Danforth subway line. If you hop on the Lawrence Avenue or Ellesmere Road buses they will connect you to the Yonge University Spadina subway line. For drivers it only takes five minutes to reach Highway 401 from the McCowan Road, on ramp.
This neighbourhood has a total of 203 transit stops, including the Kennedy GO station. People here use a mix of vehicles and public transportation for their commute, mostly staying within the city.
Bendale, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
This area boasts schools, specialized programs, for both elementary and secondary levels. It is served by a total of 12 schools, 6 Catholic schools, 4 private schools and 1 alternative/special school. The local education institutions offer a variety of programs such as studies, Advanced Placement courses, French Immersion and International Baccalaureate programs.
- Public Schools: 12
- Catholic Schools: 6
- Private Schools: 4
Public
- ÉS Étienne-Brûlé
- Charles Gordon Senior Public School
- Edgewood Public School
- ÉÉ Jeanne-Lajoie
- ÉÉ Laure-Rièse
- Knob Hill Public School
- Donwood Park Public School
- St. Andrews Public School
- David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute
- John McCrae Public School
- Lord Roberts Junior Public School
- Hunter’s Glen Junior Public School
Catholic
- St. Victor Catholic School
- ÉÉC Saint-Jean-de-Lalande
- Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic School
- ÉSC Père-Philippe-Lamarche
- St. Rose of Lima Catholic School
- St. Albert Catholic School
Private
- MAC Al-Furqan School
- Abu Bakr Education Academy
- Bethune Memorial School
- Madina Academy
- Alternative/Special
- Alternative Scarborough Education 1
Bendale, Toronto Homes
In Bendale the majority of homes are. Split level brick houses constructed during the 1950s and 1960s. These residences are set on lots, with driveways along with either a garage or a carport. The houses in this area are well kept, surrounded by trees that create a neighbourhood.
Bendale features a variety of housing options catering to preferences. The neighbourhood has a population with around 40% of households having relocated in the five years and 13% within the last year. It boasts a mix of both newer homes, predominantly occupied by their owners.