In downtown Toronto lies Dufferin Grove—a loved neighbourhood that caters to families with its array of amenities such as a community park and top notch schools all easily reachable by public transportation.
The heart of this area is Dufferin Grove Park, known for its impact on rejuvenating the Dufferin Grove neighbourhood and fostering a knit community among its residents gaining ample media coverage in the process over time as a communal hub, without physical boundaries cherished by locals as their own vast backyard.
History Of Dufferin Grove, Toronto
The area known as Dufferin Grove was initially inhabited by the Denison Family when they moved to Canada from England in 1792.
The Denisons played roles in the political scenes of early Toronto history Their rural estates, like “Rush Holme” “Heydon Villa” and ” Dover Court” were well known landmarks in Toronto, at that time.
In 1834 the Denisons made a choice to clear the forest on their property as the city expanded closer to their home and started working on cultivating the land.
The rich soil in the region produced harvest and enriched the Denison family with prosperity; nonetheless by the 1880’s the importance of the Denison properties shifted towards estate rather than farming. As a result fields of crops were progressively substituted with residential blocks leading to the establishment of the present day community.
Lifestyle
Bloor Street offers a variety of stores and dining options to explore while Dupont Street is seeing an increase in specialty food stores and other retail establishments as well.
Dufferin Grove, Toronto Parks & Facilities
One of the highlights of the city is Dufferin Grove Park which stands out for its community offerings such as a community bake oven and a music circle along with recreational facilities, like tennis courts and an ice rink.
The YMCA located at 931 College Street in the West End features a gymnasium and a pool, for fitness activities as community programs, for local residents to enjoy together with the Bloor/Gladstone Public Library which also hosts various community based events and activities.
There are plenty of activities to be found at the parks in this area! In Dufferin Groves parks you can find areas for children and spots for skating well. There are a total of two parks in Dufferin Grove that offer a combined count of ten facilities altogether. The average number of facilities per park is five.
- Number of Parks: 2
- Number of Recreation Facilities: 10
Recreation Facilities in Neighbourhood Parks
- Playgrounds – 2
- Rink – 1
- Basketball Courts – 2
- Ball Diamond – 1
- Sports Field – 1
- Splash Pads – 2
- Skateboard Park – 1
Dufferin Grove, Toronto Transit
The Dufferin bus takes people to the Dufferin subway station, along the Bloor Danforth subway line; meanwhile the Dover court and Ossington buses transport passengers to the Ossington subway station on the subway line as well! Additionally both College and Dundas streetcars link travelers to stops, on the Yonge University Spadina subway line.
You can reach downtown in five to ten minutes by car. The Gardiner Expressway is roughly a fifteen minute drive away from here.
In the area of Dufferin Grove there are a total of 59 transit stops, with Lansdown Station being among the rail stations, in the neighbourhood’s transit network. The residents here use modes of transportation for their commutes; most prefer traveling within the city. Typically have moderate commute durations.
Commute Destination for Residents
- Commute within the city – 90%
- Commute to another city – 10%
Commute Types
- Vehicle – 28%
- Transit – 48%
- Walk/bike – 21%
Commute Times of Residents
- 15 to 29 minutes – 29%
- 30 to 44 minutes – 34%
- 45 to 59 minutes – 14%
- 60 minutes and over – 12%
- Less than 15 minutes – 10%
Dufferin Grove, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
This area boasts elementary and secondary high schools as well as specialized programs at both levels. Including International Baccalaureate and Gifted/Talented Programs among others! Dufferin Grove is served by a total of 10 schools along with 7 schools and one each of private and alternative/special schools providing a diverse range of educational options to the community.
- Public Schools: 10
- Catholic Schools: 7
- Private Schools: 1
Public
- ÉS Toronto Ouest
- Bloor Collegiate Institute
- Dewson Street Junior Public School
- ÉÉ Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau
- Perth Avenue Junior Public School
- ÉÉ Charles-Sauriol
- King Edward Jr & Sr Public School
- Brock Public School
- Shirley Street Junior Public School
- Alexander Muir/Gladstone Ave Jr and Sr Public School
Catholic
- St. Mary Catholic Academy
- ÉÉC du Sacré-Coeur-Toronto
- Pope Francis Catholic School
- St. Helen Catholic School
- St. Josaphat Catholic School
- ÉSC Saint-Frère-André
- St. Anthony Catholic School
Private
- Westside Montessori School – Dufferin Grove
- Alternative/Special
- ALPHA II Alternative School
Dufferin Grove, Toronto Homes
Dufferin Grove boasts a collection of homes constructed between the late 19th and early 20th centuries showcasing a unique blend of semi detached and detached residences that are notably more spacious compared to those commonly seen in downtown Toronto neighbourhoods. These houses often feature welcoming porches. Are enveloped by a canopy of mature trees adding to the neighbourhood’s aesthetic appeal. The architectural diversity in Dufferin Grove is evident, through its mix of late Edwardian and English Cottage styles that define the character of the community.