The Graydon area sits atop a highland shaped by the beauty of the Don River Valley. Towards the west the neighbourhood offers views of the Donalda Golf Course from its rolling hills. To the east it is bounded by the Don Valley Parkway.
Families with incomes reside in homes perched on the hill’s peak in this portion of this community. Meanwhile, at the end along Graydon Hall Drive, apartments house lower income families many of whom are newcomers to Canada.
History Of Graydon, Toronto
The original inhabitants of Graydon were the family, who settled in the region in the mid 1800s. Henry Duncan, the family’s patriarch, served on the York Township Council starting in 1870. Held the position of Town Reeve for years. David Duncan, Henry’s son, worked as a dairy farmer. Bred Jersey cattle, on the land that’s now home to the Graydon neighbourhood.
David was well known for his gingerbread style farmhouse called “Moatfield,” which was constructed in 1865. The farmhouse was relocated to its address at 125 Moatfield Drive during the 1970s when the modern neighbourhood was being established.
Another notable residence in this area is Graydon Hall, after which the neighbourhood is named. Situated at 185 Graydon Hall Drive this English Manor style mansion was built in 1936 by financier Henry Rupert Bain. It is believed that Graydon Hall took its name from the “Gray” family who operated a grist mill along the banks of the Don River from the 1830s to 1914, where Donalda Golf Course now stands.
Lifestyle
The residents of Graydon can easily reach the Parkwoods Village Shopping Centre, situated at 1277 York Mills Road. This shopping destination offers a variety of stores such as grocery shops, a flower and fruit market, a bakery, a hair salon, dry cleaning services, pharmacies, video rental stores, bargain and dollar stores, a shoe repair shop, a bank, eateries and professional establishments.
At the junction of Don Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue lies the Don Mills Shopping Centre with around one hundred and fifty stores. This centre features a department store as its anchor tenant along with a national retailer and a comprehensive hardware store.
Graydon, Toronto Parks & Facilities
Graydon Park offers an area situated atop the neighbourhood overlooking Graydon Hall Drive. It includes amenities such as tennis courts and a playground for children. The Graydon Hall Manor Club can be accessed from the courtyard of Graydon Hall Manor and some local residents enjoy access to this club. The club features a swimming pool, an exercise room and a sauna, for its members.
The Duncan Mill, Spinney and Silverdale greenbelts surround the neighbourhood. Offer trails that attract walkers, joggers and cyclists.
Graydon, Toronto Transit
The bus service operates on Graydon Hall Drive and York Mills Road providing transportation for passengers to the York Mills station on the Yonge University Spadina subway line. Additionally the Don Mills Road bus offers connections to the Pape station on the Bloor Danforth subway line.
At the end of this neighbourhood there are entry ramps to the Don Valley Parkway along York Mills Road. Drivers heading south on the Don Valley Parkway can reach downtown Toronto in twenty minutes. For commuters traveling out of the city or needing access, to Highway 401 the northbound Don Valley Parkway is a route.
Graydon, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Graydon, which can be found in the North York area of Toronto is a standing community known for its family vibe, green spaces and tight knit community feel. The neighbourhood boasts a range of schooling choices from public, to Catholic to institutions catering to the educational needs of its residents. These elementary and high schools are recognized for their offerings nurturing atmospheres and a wide array of extracurricular activities. In Graydon, Toronto families have access to a selection of opportunities that cater to the individual learning styles of their children. Through offerings and a variety of extracurricular pursuits these schools strive to create a supportive and engaging educational journey for students, within this friendly community.
- Public Schools: 3
- Catholic Schools: 2
- Private Schools: 2
Public Schools:
- Graydon Hall Public School
- Roywood Public School
- George S. Henry Academy
Catholic Schools:
- St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School
- Brebeuf College School
Private Schools:
- Bayview Glen School
- Crestwood Preparatory College
Graydon, Toronto Homes
The streets of Graydon are. Filled with trees offering a range of homes that were constructed in the 1970s. When observing this neighbourhood from Don Mills Road the houses give the impression of being nestled into the hillside. Many of these homes feature back porch balconies thoughtfully designed to make the most of the views and lush green surroundings, in the valley below.
On Graydon Hall Drive and Fenelon Drive you’ll find apartment buildings encircling the area. The lone condominium apartment building can be spotted at seventy five Graydon Hall Drive.