Cliffcrest exudes a family vibe that resembles a charming cottage area rather than a bustling city neighbourhood. The lush greenery and scenic beauty of the surroundings are attributed to the Scarborough Bluffs with their tall sandy cliffs offering views of Lake Ontario’s shoreline.
History Of Cliffcrest, Toronto
The neighbourhood of Cliffcrest was given its name in the 1960s by city planners, who clearly drew inspiration from the Scarborough Bluffs that run along its edge. These bluffs are a marvel formed, over twelve thousand years ago after the ice age. Historical findings from the 1900s indicate that First Nations communities settled along the Scarborough Bluffs around 10,000 years ago making it one of Toronto’s inhabited areas.
In 1912 the Toronto and York Radial Railway established Scarborough Heights Park spanning sixty acres atop the bluffs as a move to increase ridership. However this park shut down in 1929. The streetcar service ceased in 1936. With the removal of the streetcar line Kingston Road underwent expansion to accommodate the rise of automobiles paving the way for development in Cliffcrest during the 1940s and 50s.
Lifestyle
The shopping area, along Kingston Road has a selection of shops, restaurants, auto service centres, motels, a Canadian Tire store and a spacious garden centre. Cliffcrest Plaza is centred around a supermarket and a discount store. It features a video rental shop, banks, gift shops, ice cream parlors, eateries as professional and medical offices. Along Eglinton Avenues retail stretch are plazas, including a tropical food store, fishing gear shop, home improvement stores, auto services centres and food markets. View homes currently for sale in Cliffcrest, Toronto
Cliffcrest, Toronto Parks & Facilities
Bluffers Park, situated by the shores of Lake Ontario offers a beach and numerous scenic picnic spots. This charming lakeside park is also home to a marina, yacht clubs and a popular waterfront eatery. Accessible by car from Brimley Road, South Bluffers Park is a retreat. Tots Park at the tip of this area boasts a playground for children and a baseball field. Meanwhile Halbert Park in the part of Cliffcrest features both a wading pool and an outdoor swimming pool. R.H. King Academy houses a pool to the public during specified hours for recreational and instructional swims.
The abundance of parks and recreational facilities in this area ensures that fun is always within reach. Cliff Crests parks offer amenities, like kids play areas, sports grounds, swimming options, ice skating opportunities and water access points. With 14 parks scattered throughout the neighbourhood hosting 41 facilities in total there’s no shortage of enjoyment to be had here. On average each park offers 2 facilities for visitors to enjoy.
Cliffcrest, Toronto Transit
The bus routes running along the streets in Cliffcrest link travelers to either the Kennedy station on the TTC subway line or the Scarborough Go Transit Train station located off St. Clair Avenue. It takes twenty five minutes for drivers to reach downtown Toronto via Kingston Road.
There are a total of 114 transit stops in this area with rail stations like Scarborough GO included. The majority of residents in this neighbourhood rely on cars for their commute and many travel within the city.
Cliffcrest, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Cliffcrest boasts elementary and secondary high schools, along with specialized programs at both levels. The neighbourhood is home to a total of 13 schools and 7 Catholic schools. Students in Cliffcrest have access to a variety of programs such as International Baccalaureate, French Immersion, Advanced Placement and Fine Arts, at the schools.
- Public Schools: 13
- Catholic Schools: 7
Public
- H. A. Halbert Junior Public School
- Collège français secondaire
- John A. Leslie Public School
- Chine Drive Public School
- R. H. King Academy
- ÉÉ Laure-Rièse
- ÉS Étienne-Brûlé
- Mason Road Junior Public School
- Fairmount Public School
- Bliss Carman Senior Public School
- David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute
- Anson Park Public School
- Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute
Catholic
- ÉSC Père-Philippe-Lamarche
- ÉÉC Saint-Michel
- St. Theresa Shrine Catholic School
- ÉÉC du Bon-Berger
- St. Agatha Catholic School
- St. John Henry Newman Catholic High School
- ÉÉC Georges-Étienne-Cartier
Cliffcrest, Toronto Homes
Cliffcrest features a variety of housing styles including bungalows, storey and a half houses, semi detached homes and detached two storey houses constructed during the 1940s and 1950s. Additionally there are custom built homes scattered throughout the area. The residential section south of Kingston Road is characterized by frame cottages that evoke a cottage community atmosphere. Some of these residences offer views of Lake Ontario.
This neighbourhood boasts a mix of housing options. Has a stable population with 31% of households having relocated in the last five years and 8%, within the past year. Predominantly consisting of homes, Cliffcrest is largely occupied by homeowners.