Fairbank is set to experience growth thanks to the opening of the Eglinton Crosstown subway, which is expected to spark a rejuvenation of this area. The New York Recreation Centre, situated at 115 Black Creek Drive, on the corner of Eglinton Ave. West and Black Creek Drive, serves as a symbol of this revitalization. A distinctive feature of the Fairbank neighbourhood is its hills that stretch northward from Rogers Road to Briar Hill Avenue at the edge of Fairbank. These hills are divided by winding one way streets that contribute to the neighbourhoods quaint charm. With housing prices and easy access to transportation and major highways, Fairbank attracts residents from diverse backgrounds including those with Italian, Portuguese and West Indian roots. The Little Jamaica shopping district along Eglinton Avenue West stands out as a spot for shopping enthusiasts.
History Of Fairbank, Toronto
Fairbank got its name from the Fairbank” farm, which was owned by a pioneer settler named Matthew Parsons. This farm used to be located on Eglinton Avenue, between Dufferin and Keele Streets. The early growth of Fairbank focused around the intersection of Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue. The neighbourhood started with a one room schoolhouse built in the 1860s followed by a hotel, post office, church and a few stores. A stone marker from the Fairbank schoolhouse is still kept on the wall of Briar Hill School today. The only remnants of the Fairbank community are the Fairbank United Church dating back to 1889 at 2750 Dufferin Street and a Georgian Survival style house at 108 Stayner Avenue. This red brick house was constructed in 1852 by Jacob P. Ross, a farmer from Fairbank. The transition of Fairbank from a village to a neighbourhood began around 1892 when the Belt Line Railway briefly operated a station here. Further progress came in 1924 when Toronto’s streetcar railway extended service to this area. In the 1970s ’80s and ’90s Fairbank evolved into an inviting hub for Canadians.
The families in this neighbourhood formed a knit community on Eglinton Avenue West earning it the nickname Little Jamaica. The vibrant cultural heritage of Little Jamaica is celebrated through the Reggae Lane mural on the wall at 1529 Eglinton Avenue across from the Green P Parking lot.
Lifestyle
Eglinton Avenue West boasts a mix of cultures, with Little Jamaica often referred to as “the Avenue to the world.” Visitors to this bustling shopping district have the luxury of browsing through a myriad of stores ranging from shops and trendy boutiques to jewelry stores alongside a tempting array of Jamaican and Caribbean eateries. Moving over to Dufferin Street one can explore a range of establishments and popular chain stores that draw in shoppers from various corners of the city. For those with a penchant for home design and decor the Castlefield Design and Decor district situated on Castlefield Road, near Caledonia showcases a lineup of Toronto’s retailers in this niche.
Fairbank, Toronto Parks & Facilities
The Fairbank Memorial Community Centre, on 2213 Dufferin Street provides a range of activities for both kids and grown ups. It also runs a seniors club that’s not for profit offering programs, workshops and events tailored for adults aged 55 and above. Adjacent to the community centre lies the Fairbank Memorial Park boasting two baseball fields, a playground for children, a basketball court and a swimming pool.
Fairbank, Toronto Transit
The residents of Fairbank benefit from a network of bus routes that cover the area. The buses on Rogers Road and Eglinton Avenue link up with stations on the Yonge University Spadina subway line while the bus routes along Oakwood Avenue, Dufferin Street and Caledonia Road connect to stations on the Bloor Danforth subway line.
Drivers can easily reach downtown via Dufferin Street, which runs all the way down to Toronto’s Harbourfront. For those traveling outside the city the Allen Expressway off Eglinton Avenue is a five minute drive away from this neighbourhood. This expressway provides access to Highway 401.
Fairbank, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Fairbank Public School caters to a community comprising families from backgrounds embracing a blend of races, languages and cultures that enrich the elementary and secondary school’s social fabric. Our dedicated staff is committed to fostering a learning environment that ensures every student achieves success. We continuously explore teaching methods and approaches pushing ourselves to deliver top notch education for our students. At the heart of our philosophy is the belief that every student has the potential and desire to learn. Therefore we prioritize the development of skills in literacy, math and technology across all disciplines. Fairbank offers programs in subjects, like Science, French, Health and Physical Education, Music and Visual Arts.
Fairbank, Toronto Homes
Fairbank is a blend of working class residences, from the early 1900s, postwar brick and stucco bungalows and modern housing developments. The neighbourhood also boasts apartment buildings situated on its outskirts. The delightful houses nestled atop the hills at the heart of Fairbank exude a quaint charm of a village setting. Numerous homes in this area showcase decks that offer views of the surrounding hilltops, in Fairbank.