Downsview, situated in Toronto is known for its communities, such as the Italian neighbourhood around Keele Street and the thriving Jewish community near Bathurst Street and Wilson Avenue.
This vibrant area boasts landmarks like Yorkdale Shopping Centre and the Allen Expressway. Adding to its charm is the established Downsview Park, located on the Canadian Forces Base. Notably Downsview Park stands out as Canada’s urban park offering a range of activities and events suitable for individuals of all ages. Moreover it houses a sports complex, a private school and even a Drive Test centre, for issuing driving tests and licenses.
Noteworthy is the cutting edge Humber River Hospital positioned at Wilson Avenue and Keele Street. Recognized as North America’s digital hospital facility.
History Of Downsview, Toronto
Downsview got its name from John Perkins Bull, a Justice of the Peace who settled in this region around 1842. Bull named his farm “Downs View” because it was located on one of Toronto’s points.
In what may have been one of the home offices the Bull farmhouse included a courtroom and a basement jail. Today the historic John Perkins Bull house stands at 450 Rustic Road now serving as a nursing home.
For, than a century Downsview thrived as a community with its own stores, schoolhouse and post office. At the heart of this community stood the brick Downsview United Church. Erected in 1870 this church still stands proudly at its location, on 2822 Keele Street.
In 1928 Downsview entered an era when the renowned De Havilland Aircraft Company made it their headquarters. The Canadian Armed Forces soon followed suit during World War Two by establishing a presence in Downsview. After the war ended, Downsview underwent development that transformed the neighbourhood by the early 1970s.
Lifestyle
Downsview is known for hosting some of the shopping options in the Toronto area.
One of the shopping destinations Yorkdale Shopping Centre sits conveniently at the junction of Dufferin/The Allen Expressway and the 401 highway. This expansive indoor mall draws in shoppers from across Toronto with its array of stores including popular names like J.Crew, Zara, Banana Republic, Holt Renfrew, Guess, H&M, The Gap, Williams Sanoma, The Pottery Barn and Indigo. Apart from shopping opportunities Yorkdale also offers movie theatres, a library, professional offices and a fitness centre.
Moving towards North York Sheridan Mall situated at Jane Street and Wilson Avenue reveals an indoor mall featuring a good mix of major department stores and unique independent retailers. Traveling eastward takes you to Downsview Plaza located at Keele Street and Wilson Avenue which boasts a supermarket along with professional and medical offices. Another shopping destination to explore is Lawrence Square shopping centre positioned at Lawrence Avenue West and the Allen Expressway offering a blend of department stores, boutique shops as well as professional and medical services.
On Downsviews edge lies Sheppard Plaza which caters to the neighbourhood’s needs with amenities like banking services, grocery stores, health food options, dollar store convenience shop pet store supplies alongside well known spots, like Starbucks and Dairy Queen.
The shopping area, at Wilson Avenue and Bathurst Street features a variety of stores including gift shops, neighbourhood fruit and flower markets, bakeries, restaurants, nail salons and other local businesses.
Downsview, Toronto Parks & Facilities
Downsview Park spanning 572 acres stands as the spot, in Toronto. At its heart lies the Downsview Hangar, a converted WWII structure now housing a 45,000 meter recreational complex with indoor sports fields, volleyball and basketball courts and a ball hockey arena.
Nestled at the tip of this area is Downsview Dells Park, part of a 4.7 km paved trail tracing the Black Creek Valley to Black Creek Pioneer Village. In Downsview you’ll also discover parks offering amenities like tennis courts, baseball diamonds and playgrounds for kids.
The community can enjoy skating and hockey programs at Downsview Arena on Wilson Avenue. Nearby is the charming Downsview Lawn Bowling Green. For those seeking entertainment or relaxation indoors Downsview Public Library on Keele Street hosts an array of engaging programs for all ages. Movie enthusiasts can visit Yorkdale Mall and North York Sheridan Mall for cinema experiences.
This neighbourhood boasts parks and recreation facilities catering to all ages with playgrounds for children, sports areas and skating opportunities. With a total of 21 parks and 77 recreational spots available, fun is always within reach!There are typically around 3 facilities in each park, on average.
- Number of Parks: 21
- Number of Recreation Facilities: 77
Recreation Facilities in Neighbourhood Parks
- Playgrounds – 13
- Pools – 2
- Arena – 1
- Rinks – 2
- Tennis Courts – 13
- Ball Diamonds – 4
- Sports Fields – 3
- Community Centres – 3
- Splash Pads – 5
- Golf Course – 1
- Sports Courts – 2
- Outdoor Games Facilities – 14
- Country Club – 1
- Trails – 7
- Fitness/Weight Rooms – 3
- Gyms – 3
Downsview, Toronto Transit
The bus routes running along Wilson, Lawrence and Sheppard Avenues, in Toronto are linked to the Yonge University Spadina subway line stations. Additionally buses on Jane, Keele and Dufferin Streets connect commuters to the Bloor Danforth subway line stations.
For drivers looking to reach downtown, taking Bathurst Street can get them there in twenty five to thirty minutes. Conveniently located near this neighbourhood are Highway 401 access points at Keele and Dufferin Streets as the Allen Expressway.
Within the Downsview Roding CFB area there are a total of 437 transit stops, with Yorkdale Station serving as one of the rail stations. The neighbourhood sees a mix of commuters using both vehicles and public transportation while traveling within the city limits.
Commute Destination for Residents
- Commute within the city – 73%
- Commute to another city – 26%
Commute Types
- Vehicle – 58%
- Transit – 38%
- Walk/bike – 2%
Commute Times of Residents
- 15 to 29 minutes – 25%
- 30 to 44 minutes – 27%
- 45 to 59 minutes – 15%
- 60 minutes and over – 21%
- Less than 15 minutes – 10%
Downsview, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
This area boasts schools, specialized elementary programs and unique offerings, in secondary education. Downsview Roding CFB is served by a total of 23 schools, 10 Catholic schools and 2 private educational institutions. The local schools provide programs such as French Immersion, Gifted/Talented Programs, Advanced Placement courses, Fine Arts programs, International Baccalaureate options and Christian focused education.
- Public Schools: 23
- Catholic Schools: 10
- Private Schools: 2
Public
- ÉÉ Félix-Leclerc
- Lawrence Heights Middle School
- Highview Public School
- Dublin Heights Elementary and Middle School
- Downsview Secondary School
- William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute
- Tumpane Public School
- Charles H Best Junior Middle School
- Pierre Laporte Middle School
- Elia Middle School
- C. W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute
- Beverley Heights Middle School
- Gulfstream Public School
- Faywood Arts-Based Curriculum School
- Chalkfarm Public School
- ÉS Étienne-Brûlé
- ÉS Jeunes sans frontières
- Sheppard Public School
- ÉÉ Mathieu-da-Costa
- Blaydon Public School
- Downsview Public School
- Ancaster Public School
- Emery Collegiate Institute
Catholic
- St. Raphael Catholic School
- St. Cyril Catholic School
- ÉÉC Saint-Noël-Chabanel-Toronto
- ÉSC Monseigneur-de-Charbonnel
- Madonna Catholic Secondary School
- St. Simon Catholic School
- St. Jerome Catholic School
- St. Conrad Catholic School
- St. Norbert Catholic School
- St. André Catholic School
Private
- Blyth Academy Downsview Park
- King’s College Preparatory School
Downsview, Toronto Homes
The homes in Downsview were built back in the 1950s and 1960s featuring detached and split level houses on spacious lots with private driveways. In the Balmoral subdivision you’ll find custom designed brick and stone houses nestled in the area of Downsview near Wilson Heights Boulevard.
Throughout Downsview you’ll discover streets that back, onto spaces and parks where many homes are uniquely designed to blend with the lush surroundings.
In the Downsview Roding CFB neighbourhood there’s a mix of types of homes. The area has a population with 35% of households having relocated within the last five years and 12% within the past year. It primarily consists of homes. Is a mix of owner occupied and rental properties.