Cedarvale stands out for its Cedarvale Ravine, a winding natural area that offers plenty of recreational activities. The neighbourhood is home to a community centred around the Holy Blossom Temple and Beth Tzedec Synagogue both located on Bathurst Street.
History Of Cedarvale, Toronto
Cedarvales residential development commenced in 1912 when Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, known for building Toronto’s Casa Loma, filed a subdivision plan for the part of this area named “Cedar Vale.” The term “Vale” referenced the ravine that meanders through the heart of this community while “Cedar” reflected the abundance of cedar trees that flourished in the lowlands of the ravine. The Cedarvale Ravine, a cornerstone of this neighbourhood, faced a threat in 1966 with plans to construct the Spadina Expressway directly through it towards downtown. This led to some Cedarvale homes being acquired and clearing parts of the ravine to accommodate the expressway.
Thankfully widespread opposition arose against the expressway project, across the city. In 1974 a decision was reached to halt the Spadina Expressway (officially known as W.R. Allen Road) at Eglinton Avenue thereby safeguarding the point of this Toronto community.
Lifestyle
Eglinton Avenue West offers a range of shops and dining options. Past Bathurst Street you’ll find a variety of boutiques and eateries. Further west, along Eglinton Avenue West beyond Allen Road is where you’ll discover the collection of establishments in Toronto. Locally this vibrant shopping area is fondly referred to as Little Jamaica.
Cedarvale, Toronto Parks & Facilities
The Cedarvale Ravine is accessible from Cedarvale Park at the intersection of Ava and Everden Roads. People enjoy walking, cycling, jogging, bird watching and cross country skiing in this ravine. It is a part of the Belt Line Railway path, a commuter railway route dating back to the 1880s. Located at the end of the ravine, Cedarvale Park offers residents a versatile recreational space with amenities like tennis courts, playing fields and the Phil White indoor ice arena.
Cedarvale Park stands out as a green space that welcomes everyone to enjoy its vast area cutting through the Cedarvale neighbourhood west of Bathurst Street between St. Clair Avenue and Eglinton Avenue. Apart from park facilities like baseball diamonds, tennis courts, soccer fields and a skating rink commonly found in Toronto parks, this forward thinking park has recently introduced an enclosed leash area for dogs and an innovative environmental education program known as Families In Nature.
The Families In Nature initiative is located in a meadow, in the heart of the park with a stream flowing through it—a tributary of the Don River.
The city’s parks department has cleverly transformed a meadow into a wetland sanctuary promoting the growth of plants and animals while also enhancing water quality and addressing issues like drought and flooding. Families In Nature received support from over 300 volunteers in the community working on projects such as planting trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses. Informative signs along the walking path near the meadow provide insights into the flora and fauna. Cedarvale Park stands out for its focus on recreation, environmental conservation and inclusivity for dog owners setting an example for urban parks, in Toronto.
Cedarvale, Toronto Transit
Bus transportation, along Bathurst Street and Vaughan Road offers a connection for passengers heading to Bathurst station on the Bloor Danforth subway line. The bus service on Eglinton Avenue West provides another option for passengers traveling to Eglinton station on the Yonge University Spadina subway line. Drivers can easily access the Allen Road Expressway from Eglinton Avenue, which connects to Highway 401 and a network of commuter highways. Bathurst Street serves as a thoroughfare offering access to the city’s downtown core.
Cedarvale, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Cedarvale Community for elementary and secondary school can be found in the Cedarvale neighbourhood situated near the intersection of Bathurst and Eglinton Streets. It was established on September 5th, 1950 offering education from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Our school’s motto is “Committed to Excellence “. Our goal is to nurture knowledgeable and empathetic young individuals who strive to reach their full potential. Being an IB World School means we are dedicated to fostering students with a perspective emphasizing awareness, open mindedness and mutual respect.
Cedarvale, Toronto Homes
Cedarvale boasts a mix of Tudor and Georgian style homes, which were predominantly constructed between 1920 and 1950. The larger luxurious residences in Cedarvale are situated on lots with stunning ravine views. Within the neighbourhoods streets you’ll find a blend of family homes and cozy starter houses. Additionally there are unit dwellings and walk up apartment buildings located on the outskirts of this community. Prospective homebuyers are drawn to Cedarvale for its rated schools, access to the ravine nearby parks and playgrounds as well as its close proximity, to excellent shopping options, dining establishments and convenient public transportation services.