Kingsway Park stands out as one of the neighbourhoods, in the part of Toronto. It was carefully planned with families in mind featuring houses and properties, walkable streets and easy access to schools, shops, churches and recreational facilities. Known for its location, amidst the Humber River Valley forest Kingsway Park boasts streets adorned with beautiful oak and maple trees that complement the elegant homes found throughout this iconic Toronto community.
History Of Kingsway, Toronto
Kingsway Park is located on land that was originally designated to the Church of England in the 1800s as part of the Clergy Reserve lands. The church leased out this land to farmers until 1908 when it was purchased by Robert Home Smith, the visionary behind The Kingsway neighbourhood.
In 1912 Home Smith and Company started promoting this development. The sale of homes in Kingsway Park faced delays due to World War I and insufficient transportation connections across the Humber River Valley. It wasn’t until 1924 with the construction of the Bloor Street bridge that home sales in Kingsway Park finally took off.
The initial residents of Kingsway Park were mainly mining executives from Northern Ontario and businessmen from Toronto who had connections with Robert Home Smith and were encouraged by him to invest in properties. Home Smith envisioned Kingsway Park as “a slice of England, from England ” aiming to create an English style garden suburb known for its integrity and beauty. Today it is Robert Home Smith’s legacy that ensures Kingsway Park remains one of Toronto’s neighbourhoods.
Lifestyle
The upscale Kingsway Village shopping area, on Bloor Street West boasts a blend of boutiques, familiar retail chains, dining establishments and various professional services. The village concept seamlessly integrates with the surrounding community evident in the park benches lining the streets and the elegant black cast iron street lamps. Even the trash receptacles are encased in ornate cast iron. Adding to its charm the central boulevard proudly displays flagpoles flying both the flag and the emblem of Kingsway Village.
Moving north to Dundas Street West from Kingsway reveals an atmosphere compared to its southern counterpart. Here shopping centres mainly consist of strip malls housing home decor stores, landscaping businesses as intriguing hobby shops, antique boutiques and an art gallery. Noteworthy is a drive through dry cleaner providing, in car drop off and pick up services. Additionally at 4242 Dundas Street West lies Kingsway Mills plaza showcasing an array of chain stores, specialty outlets and a gourmet food market.
Kingsway, Toronto Parks & Facilities
The Etobicoke Memorial Pool and Health Club, on 44 Montgomery Road provides a variety of aqua fitness programs for adults. Next to the club is the Central Arena, where both kids and adults can enjoy skating as well as participate in organized ice and ball hockey leagues.
Central Park, situated near Islington south of Dundas is home to the Etobicoke Lawn Bowling Club featuring two bowling greens. Additionally Central Park boasts tennis courts and a spacious baseball diamond.
Home Smith Park, accessible from Dundas Street along the Humber River, is part of a 10 kilometer trail connecting cyclists, in-line skaters, walkers and joggers to Toronto’s waterfront via the Martin Goodman Trail.
At 36 Brentwood Road North lies the Brentwood Public Library offering childrens and adult programs for Kingsway Park residents. For movie enthusiasts the Kingsway movie theatre on 3030 Bloor Street West showcases both contemporary films with membership benefits for a small annual fee.
Humber Valley Golf Course caters to golfers of all ages and skill levels with its mix of links style holes and valley terrain. Precision, accuracy and patience are key, on the three holes. The course includes a restaurant. Is located at Albion Road and Beattie Avenue.
Having time is a breeze, with the abundance of parks and recreational facilities available here. In Kingsway South you can enjoy playgrounds for children, sports fields, dog friendly areas and ice skating rinks in the parks. This neighbourhood boasts seven parks, with a total of 38 amenities. On average each park offers five facilities.
Kingsway, Toronto Transit
In Kingsway Park many residents have the convenience of walking to either the Royal York or Islington subway stations, along Bloor Street. These stations are part of the Bloor Danforth subway line. The Islington station also serves as a link to the Mississauga Transit system. Offers a bus service to Pearson International Airport. For drivers it takes twenty minutes to reach downtown Toronto’s business and entertainment hubs via Bloor Street or Lakeshore Boulevard. Additionally Kingsway Park is a ten minute drive from the airport.
Kingsway South boasts 80 transit stops, including Jane Station. This neighbourhood mostly sees vehicle commuters who travel within the city for their commute.
Kingsway, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Kingsway South boasts elementary and secondary schools, along with specialized programs at both levels. The neighbourhood is served by a total of 8 schools and 4 Catholic schools. Noteworthy special programs available in schools encompass the International Baccalaureate and French Immersion offerings.
- Public Schools: 8
- Catholic Schools: 4
Public
- Etobicoke Collegiate Institute
- Islington Junior Middle School
- ÉÉ Félix-Leclerc
- ÉS Toronto Ouest
- Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School
- ÉÉ Charles-Sauriol
- Runnymede Collegiate Institute
- Humbercrest Public School
Catholic
- Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School
- Josyf Cardinal Slipyj Catholic School
- ÉÉC Sainte-Marguerite-d’Youville
- ÉSC Saint-Frère-André
Kingsway, Toronto Homes
Between Kingsway Crescent and Royal York Road you can find the Kingsway Park neighbourhood stretching from Bloor Street up to Kings Garden Road. The area was developed under the plan of subdivision known as “Kingsway Park ” between 1924 and 1947 showcasing some of Toronto’s examples of Old English classical and vernacular architecture.
The houses in Kingsway Park boast stone facades, intricate brick patterns and stucco and half timbering designs. These homes are characterized by oak doors, glass windows, unique bay and oriel windows as well as ornate wrought iron railings and porch lamps.
The oldest residences in Kingsway Park can be found near Dundas Street along Government Road. Originally part of the Lampton community (refer to the Lampton neighbourhood in this book) these houses exhibit Edwardian architecture from the late 1800s to early 1900s. Alongside these homes are bungalow designs dating back to the 1940s and 1950s.
Mostly consisting of houses, this neighbourhood has a population. 30% of households have relocated within the five years with another 12% having moved within the last year.
The neighbourhood consists of a combination of more recent houses with the majority being occupied by their owners.