Humber Bay is a neighbourhood, with a mix of middle income families bordered to the west by Mimico Creek and to the east by the Humber River Valley. The natural boundaries have influenced the landscape creating rolling hills and abundant mature trees.
Notable features of the area include the row of motels along Lake Shore Blvd. now undergoing a transformation into the condominium community known as Humber Bay Shores. Other landmarks on the outskirts include the large Ontario Food Terminal located south of Queensway and the positioned Humber Sewage Treatment Plant north of Queensway nestled beside the expansive parkland of Humber River Valley.
History Of Humber Bay, Toronto
The Humber Bay neighbourhoods story began back in 1888 when the first schoolhouse opened on High Street welcoming around thirty five students in its year. Over time this schoolhouse evolved into a hub for the community hosting events such as meetings, concerts, movies and sports activities.
When the students weren’t hitting the books at Humber Bay school they were busy tending to their families vegetable gardens. The local farmers primarily cultivated vegetables with some apples. Pear orchards and strawberry and raspberry patches. Notably the first Farmers Market in Toronto originated in Humber Bay, near Parklawn Road and the Queensway where the Ontario Food Terminal stands today.
By the 1920s Humber Bay had expanded to include a brickyard, a cement block factory, a pig farm, a library association, a volunteer fire department and several churches. Additionally there was an eighteen hole golf course that now sits beneath the Humber Sewage Treatment Plant and South Humber Park.
In 1986 the old Humber Bay school was demolished to make way for development. Despite losing this cornerstone of the neighbourhood’s past, its rich history and strong sense of community spirit endure.
Lifestyle
The main shopping hub in this area is the Stonegate Plaza located on Berry Road. It offers a variety of amenities including a grocery store, a pharmacy, a video rental shop, dry cleaning services, several specialty and discount stores, dining options, a dental clinic and even a community health centre.
Humber Bay, Toronto Parks & Facilities
Residents of Humber Bay have the convenience of access to South Humber Park situated off Stephen Drive. This park boasts spaces and wooded areas with picturesque views of the Humber Marshes. Visitors can make the most of a paved trail for walking, jogging, cycling and even in line skating. Moreover this trail seamlessly connects to the Martin Goodman Trail along Toronto’s waterfront.
Not far away is Humber Bay Park, positioned at the base of Park Lawn Road of Lakeshore Boulevard. Offering vistas of downtown Toronto this park sits gracefully on the shores of Lake Ontario. Provides amenities such as a Yacht Club, boat launch points, a model boat pond and a fly casting pond.
Moving north from there brings us to Park Lawn Park located above Berry Road. This versatile recreational spot boasts an outdoor pool, a baseball diamond and in winter transforms its ice arena into tennis courts for summer enjoyment.
In addition to these attractions lies the community focused Humber Bay Public Library at 200 Park Lawn Road. This charming library stocks books as well as videos and tapes while also providing internet access for patrons.
The neighbourhood is brimming with fun activities offered by its parks and recreational facilities. From playgrounds for children, to sports parks, dog friendly spaces, swimming spots, skating rinks, water access points and nature preserves. There’s no shortage of entertainment options
In this neighbourhood there are a total of 26 parks, each equipped with 75 amenities. On average there are 2 facilities, per park.
Humber Bay, Toronto Transit
The bus routes, along Berry and Park Lawn Roads and Stephen Drive provide transportation to the Old Mill station on the Bloor Danforth subway line. It takes around ten minutes to reach downtown using the Queensway for drivers. Additionally for those commuting outside of the city Lake Shore Boulevard is easily accessible from Park Lawn Road. This area has a total of 202 transit stops, including the Mimico GO rail station, in Mimico.-Humber Bay Shores, there are mostly vehicle commuters and most commute within the city.
Humber Bay, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
The local area boasts elementary and secondary schools, along with specialized programs catering to students’ diverse needs. Mimico Humber Bay Shores is served by a total of 21 schools comprising 10 public, 7 4 institutions. These schools provide offerings such as Montessori, International Baccalaureate, French Immersion and Advanced Placement programs.
- Public Schools: 10
- Catholic Schools: 7
- Private Schools: 4
Public
- ÉÉ Micheline-Saint-Cyr
- Second Street Junior Middle School
- Park Lawn Junior Middle School
- ÉS Toronto Ouest
- Lanor Junior Middle School
- Étienne Brûlé Junior School
- David Hornell Junior School
- John English Junior Middle School
- George R. Gauld Junior School
- Lakeshore Collegiate Institute
Catholic
- St. Louis Catholic School
- St. Ambrose Catholic School
- ÉÉC Sainte-Marguerite-d’Youville
- St. Mark Catholic School
- ÉSC Saint-Frère-André
- St. Leo Catholic School
- St. Josaphat Catholic School
- Private
- Kingsway College School – Senior
- Mildenhall School
- Phoenix Montessori School
- Oak Learners Private School
Humber Bay, Toronto Homes
Humber Bay features charming houses dating back to the 1900s once belonging to market gardeners who thrived in the area. The newer parts of Humber Bay consist of types of homes like bungalows, split level houses, apartment buildings and designed residences. Many homes in Humber Bay are perched on a hill overlooking Mimico Creek or the Humber River Valley.
The development at Humber Bay Shores along Lake Shore Boulevard boasts high rise condominiums with views of Lake Ontario. Notable condo buildings in the area include Palace Pier, Palace Place, Grand Harbour and Marina del Rey. Recent additions to the neighbourhood include Bal Harbour, Grenadier Landing, Nevis, Newport Beach Players Club, The Explorer, Voyager 1 and 2 and Waterford.
This community is predominantly composed of condos and apartments. It has a population with a percentage having moved within the past few years. The neighbourhood offers a mix of new homes. Is home to both homeowners and renters.