Don Valley Village is a community, with residents hailing from cultural backgrounds such as Armenian, Chinese, East Indian and Middle Eastern descent. What sets Don Valley Village apart is its landscape characterized by hills and valleys shaped by the Don River Valley on its eastern edge.
Prominent landmarks in Don Valley Village include Fairview Mall, a shopping destination, in Toronto, North York General Hospital situated at the intersection of Sheppard Avenue and Leslie Street and Cummer Park Fitness Centre, known as one of the city’s largest municipally run recreational facilities.
History Of Don Valley Village, Toronto
The neighbourhood of Don Valley Village was established during the 1960s and 1970s. However the area’s history traces back to the 1800s when it consisted of small farming settlements. Currently three historical landmarks survive from the pioneer era of Don Valley Village. These remnants include the Zion Primitive Methodist Church, built around 1873 situated at 1650 Finch Avenue East and the quaint red brick Zion Schoolhouse constructed around 1869 located at 1091 Finch Avenue East.
The lone pioneer residence that remains in this vicinity is the Alexander Muirhead Victorian style farmhouse dating back to, around 1853 and situated at 179 Old Sheppard Street. Originally part of O’Sullivans Corners, a bustling crossroads community located at Victoria Park and Sheppard Avenues.
Lifestyle
Fairview Mall, a shopping centre situated at the intersection of Sheppard Avenue and Don Mills Road, in the region has undergone recent renovations. The mall boasts more than 150 stores along with services and medical facilities. Another popular indoor shopping destination in Don Valley Village is “The Shops on Steeles and the 404 ” featuring a mix of outlets anchored by a known department store and health centre.
In addition to these malls Don Valley Village offers shopping plazas such as The Pickle Barrel Plaza located at Finch Avenue and Leslie Street Skymark Plaza at the junction of Don Mills Road and Finch Avenue as well as Finch and Leslie Square. Furthermore residents can also explore Cliffwood and Peanut Plazas on Don Mills Road for a variety of shopping options.
Don Valley Village, Toronto Parks & Facilities
The fitness centre, at Cummer Park situated on Leslie Street close to Steeles Avenue provides amenities such as squash and racquetball courts, fitness classes, an indoor jogging track, weight rooms, outdoor tennis courts, whirlpools and saunas.
At 2975 Don Mills Road West lies the Oriole Community Resource Centre featuring gymnasium meeting spaces and a seniors lounge. Additionally housed in this centre is the Oriole arena where public skating activities like pleasure skating and organized hockey are offered. Adjacent to the Oriole Centre stands Oriole Park which serves as the home of the North York Tennis Association. This club boasts a tennis bubble for year round play.
Don Valley Village boasts parks equipped with childrens playgrounds, sports fields, tennis courts, baseball diamonds and outdoor hockey rinks.
The Fairview Library and Theatre at 35 Fairview Mall serves as the hub of this neighbourhood. The theatre has been in operation since 1976 showcasing performances by theatre groups. Moreover the Fairview Public Library organizes programs catering to preschoolers, children and adults including English as a language classes, seniors social gatherings and childrens storytime sessions in languages, like Cantonese,Persian and Tamil.
There are plenty of activities at the various parks and recreational facilities in this area. The neighbourhood parks offer playgrounds for children, sports areas and opportunities for skating. There are a total of 11 parks, in this community housing 62 facilities altogether. On average each park has 5 facilities to enjoy.
Don Valley Village, Toronto Transit
Residents of Don Valley Village benefit from bus routes along Steeles, Finch and Sheppard Avenues that offer access to Yonge University Spadina subway line stations. Bus services on Don Mills Road and Victoria Park Avenue also link passengers to Bloor Danforth subway line stations.
For motorists quick access to downtown and beyond is available via the on ramps, to the Don Valley Parkway located off Sheppard and Finch Avenues.
Within this neighbourhood there are a total of 88 transit stops, including the Leslie Station. The community sees a mix of commuters using both vehicles and public transportation within the city.
Don Valley Village, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Don Valley Village boasts schools, specialized programs for elementary and secondary education. The area is home to a total of 10 schools, 7 Catholic schools and 1 alternative/special school catering to the needs of Don Valley Village residents. Notable special programs available at these schools encompass French Immersion, Gifted/Talented Program, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate offerings.
- Public Schools: 10
- Catholic Schools: 7
Public
- Don Valley Middle School
- Lescon Public School
- Dallington Public School
- Woodbine Middle School
- Crestview Public School
- Kingslake Public School
- ÉS Étienne-Brûlé
- Seneca Hill Public School
- ÉÉ Paul-Demers
- Georges Vanier Secondary School
Catholic
- Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic School
- St. Timothy Catholic School
- St. Cyril Catholic School
- ÉÉC Sainte-Madeleine
- ÉSC Monseigneur-de-Charbonnel
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School
- St. Matthias Catholic School
- Alternative/Special
- North East Secondary Alternative School
Don Valley Village, Toronto Homes
The majority of homes and apartments in Don Valley Village were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s. The housing options in this area range from condominium townhouses and apartment buildings to split level houses, semi detached homes and spacious detached houses with designs inspired by Georgian, Tudor and contemporary styles.
Don Valley Village is also home to a number of high rise rental apartment buildings situated along the streets surrounding the neighbourhood.
Within Don Valley Village you’ll find condos and townhouses. The community has a population with 44% of households having relocated in the last 5 years and 16% within the last year. It predominantly consists of residences and a mix of homeowners and renters.