Dorset Park is a community that attracts middle income families from backgrounds. It is currently undergoing changes as young families, with children are moving in replacing the generation of homeowners. The neighbourhood is bordered by Highway 401 to the north and commercial areas along its east and west sides with major companies, like Kraft Foods and Laura Secord located on Birchmount Road.
History Of Dorset Park, Toronto
Dorset Park used to be a part of the Village of Ellesmere, a quaint farming community centred around Kennedy and Ellesmere Roads back in the 1800s. The village was named after a place called Ellesmere in England. By the 1900s the heart of this community was the Ellesmere Arena, home to both the Maple Leaf Curling Club and the Ellesmere Maple Leaf Band.
The band often played at church events, fall fairs and other public gatherings. Ellesmere was famous for its sports clubs, such as the Maple Leaf Football Team that clinched the Ontario Championships in 1890. In the 1950s Dorset Park emerged from what used to be market gardens and dairy farms in Ellesmere. Like its predecessor Dorset Park gets its name from a village in England.
Lifestyle
Kennedy Road serves as a hub for shopping offering a variety of home furniture and appliance stores, electronics outlets and discount department stores. Additionally there are dining options along the street representing a range of international cuisines including Chinese, Greek and Japanese fare. A recent addition to Kennedy Road is Kennedy Commons, situated south of Highway 401 on the side of the road.
This expansive shopping area includes a Lansing Buildall “Super Store” spanning 80,000 feet. Other prominent retailers in this complex include Sears Furniture and Appliance store, The Brick and Dominion Supermarket. Reflecting the neighbourhood’s diversity is Courtesy Plaza on Birchmount Road with its East and West food market and family friendly restaurant. Highland Farms on Ellesmere Road is a favored grocery shopping spot for residents in this area. View homes currently for sale in Dorset Park, Toronto
Dorset Park, Toronto Parks & Facilities
The public park, in Dorset located on Lewiston Road has a baseball diamond and a playground for children. McGregor Park, found on Lawrence Avenue East stands as the spot in the area. It houses the McGregor Park Public Library and the McGregor Park Community Centre offering amenities such as a pool and an indoor ice arena. The park boasts three tennis courts, a baseball diamond, sports fields and another playground for children.
There’s plenty of fun to be had at the parks and recreational facilities here. These neighbourhood parks provide playgrounds for kids, sports areas and opportunities for skating. With a total of seven parks, in this area boasting 28 spots each park offers an average of four facilities.
Dorset Park, Toronto Transit
The buses operating on Birchmount and Kennedy Road offer passenger connections to Lawrence East station on the Scarborough Rapid Transit line, which in turn connects to the Bloor Danforth subway line. For drivers the Kennedy Road on ramp to Highway 401 is a drive away granting commuters access to Toronto’s main highways.
Dorset Park boasts 153 transit stops. Features Agincourt GO rail stations. This neighbourhood attracts a blend of commuters who use both vehicles and public transportation with most traveling within the city.
Dorset Park, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
In Dorset Park you can find schools, along with special programs for both elementary and secondary high school education. The area is served by a total of 12 schools, 6 Catholic schools and 1 private school. Some of the programs at these local schools include French Immersion, International Baccalaureate, Montessori, Fine Arts and Advanced Placement options.
- Public Schools: 12
- Catholic Schools: 6
- Private Schools: 1
Public
- Charles Gordon Senior Public School
- ÉÉ Jeanne-Lajoie
- General Crerar Public School
- Lord Roberts Junior Public School
- Edgewood Public School
- Glamorgan Junior Public School
- Donwood Park Public School
- Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute
- David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute
- Ellesmere-Statton Public School
- Dorset Park Public School
- ÉS Étienne-Brûlé
Catholic
- ÉÉC Saint-Jean-de-Lalande
- Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic School
- St. Victor Catholic School
- St. Lawrence Catholic School
- ÉSC Père-Philippe-Lamarche
- St. Albert Catholic School
Private
- Enquiring Minds Montessori School
Dorset Park, Toronto Homes
In the 1950s the residential properties in Dorset Park were constructed, comprising maintained bungalows, one and a half story houses and a handful of attached homes. The area, at the intersection of Birchmount and Ellesmere Roads is presently undergoing development to create a housing community with semi detached homes.
Within this locality condos and townhouses are prevalent. Dorset Park sustains a population with 39% of households having relocated in the 5 years and 11% within the past year. The neighbourhood predominantly features residences. Is primarily occupied by homeowners.