Cliffside stands as an established community, with a focus on family living, nestled by the Scarborough Bluffs in eastern Toronto. It boasts a blend of leafy streets, a bustling shopping hub on Kingston Road and serene waterfront parks.
A notable feature of this area is the St. Augustine Seminary, marked by its dome from Kingston Road offering a view towards the lake to the south. This seminary has been dedicated to training priests for over a century since its establishment, in 1910.
History Of Cliffside, Toronto
Cliffside, previously known as Mortlake after a hamlet, near London saw its name change when a post office was established at the Halfway House Hotel on Kingston Road. The hotel, relocated in 1962 now stands as a feature of Toronto’s Black Creek Pioneer Village at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway.
A notable landmark in Cliffside is the St. Augustine Seminary, inaugurated in 1910 as the institution to train English speaking clergy. Its grand Beaux Arts architecture and majestic dome make it a distinctive sight, along Kingston Road.
During the 1900s the area west of St. Augustine Seminary transformed into a summer cottage community. The first permanent homes emerged in the 1920s at the tip of Chine Drive reflecting the Arts and Crafts architectural style that defines today’s neighbourhood.
Lifestyle
The shopping area known as “Cliffside Village” on Kingston Road is adorned with wall paintings illustrating the area’s past. Along the street, at the heart of Kingston Road, flags and trees enhance the atmosphere of this bustling shopping hub.
Cliffside Village boasts an array of stores from home improvement shops and convenience stores, to a selection of eateries and a blend of boutiques and chain outlets.
Cliffside, Toronto Parks & Facilities
Scarborough Bluffs Park, situated on Undercliff Drive is a lakeside park that provides wonderful spots for picnics while offering stunning views of Lake Ontario. Within this park you can find four tennis courts and a playground for children to enjoy.
To the south of Kingston Road on Glen Everest Road lies the Rosetta McClain Gardens, featuring a pathway winding through herb and scented gardens as well as a perennial garden and rose garden. This park is renowned for its vistas overlooking Lake Ontario.
Having a time is quite accessible, at the parks and recreational centres in this area. The parks within Birchcliffe Cliffside offer play areas for children sports amenities, spaces for dogs, opportunities for swimming and skating as access to water activities. In this neighbourhood there are a total of 16 parks and 50 recreational facilities. On average each park has around 3 facilities, for use.
Cliffside, Toronto Transit
The bus service in Toronto along St. Clair Avenue and Kennedy Road links passengers to stops on the Bloor Danforth subway line. For those traveling to downtown Toronto the Scarborough Go Train station on St. Clair Avenue at Midland Avenue offers a connection to Union Station in twenty minutes.
Drivers can reach downtown Toronto via Kingston Road and the Gardiner Expressway within twenty minutes.
Birchcliffe Cliffside has a total of 194 transit stops, including the Danforth GO rail station. In this neighbourhood most commuters rely on vehicles for transportation with many commuting within the city.
Cliffside, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
This community boasts elementary and high schools along with programs at both levels. Birchcliffe Cliffside is served by a total of 13 schools and 8 Catholic schools. The local educational institutions offer a variety of programs such, as International Baccalaureate, French Immersion and Male programs.
- Public Schools: 13
- Catholic Schools: 8
Public
- Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute
- Collège français secondaire
- Birch Cliff Public School
- John A. Leslie Public School
- Birch Cliff Heights Public School
- Courcelette Public School
- Malvern Collegiate Institute
- Cliffside Public School
- ÉÉ Jeanne-Lajoie
- ÉS Michelle-O’Bonsawin
- ÉÉ La Mosaïque
- Blantyre Public School
- R. H. King Academy
Catholic
- Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School
- St. Theresa Shrine Catholic School
- ÉSC Père-Philippe-Lamarche
- ÉÉC Georges-Étienne-Cartier
- ÉÉC du Bon-Berger
- St. Denis Catholic School
- St. John Catholic School
- Neil McNeil Catholic High School
Cliffside, Toronto Homes
The cliffside residences were predominantly constructed during the 1920s, 30s and 40s. These homes showcase an array of designs such, as Tudor, Cape Cod, Edwardian, Craftsman style bungalows and more modern contemporary dwellings.
Chine Drive, situated south of Kingston Road is renowned for its assortment of Tudor and Elizabethan style houses nestled amidst a forest-like backdrop. Meanwhile Fishleigh Drive at the tip of this community treats residents to breathtaking views of Lake Ontario.
Within Birchcliffe Cliffside there exists a variety of housing options. The neighbourhood maintains a population composition with around 34% of households relocating within the five years and 10% having moved in the last year. Characterized by residences and a high rate of owner occupancy.