Parkwoods is surrounded by the Don Valley Parkway in the west Victoria Park Avenue, in the east Highway 401 in the north and Lawrence Avenue along with the Canadian Pacific railway tracks in the south. Despite these roads encircling the area one might assume that Parkwoods is a noisy place; however it is quite the opposite.
The charm of Parkwoods lies in its landscape situated on the edge of the Don River Valley. The neighbourhood features slopes and tree lined streets that are characteristic of this middle class community.
History Of Parkwoods, Toronto
The neighbourhood of Parkwoods got its name from city planners who named it after Parkwoods Village Drive, a street in the area. Both Parkwoods United Church and Parkwoods Village Shopping Centre share this moniker.
Parkwoods Village Drive holds significance dating back to around 1833 when John Coulson, a teenager from England settled in Canada and built a log cabin at the intersection of Parkwoods Village Drive and Victoria Park. Surprisingly the Coulson cabin stood until 1956 when the neighbourhood began to develop.
Living nearby for years was Charles D. Maginn, a Welshman who arrived in the area circa 1832. Known as a salmon fisherman at Deer Lick stream near his farm Maginn was also a general merchant in the community according to Patricia Hart’s book “Pioneering in North York.”
The Maginns were known for offering their grove, for Wesleyan Methodist Church gatherings. In 1841 the church established a cemetery at Lawrence Avenue East and Victoria Park Avenue corner where many of Parkwoods settlers were laid to rest. The city has recognized this cemetery as a heritage site.
Lifestyle
Residents of Parkwoods have a variety of shopping choices. For instance there is Victoria Terrace located at Lawrence and Victoria Park Avenues offering a range of amenities such as a toy store, food market, bank, postal services, eateries and various professional and medical establishments.
Another option is Donwood Plaza situated at Underhill Drive and Lawrence Avenue. This smaller local plaza features a food market, professional offices and restaurants for convenience. Additionally the vicinity of Victoria Park boasts shopping plazas with an array of shops and dining options.
Furthermore Parkway Mall positioned at Victoria Park and Ellesmere is home to a supermarket and department store. This spacious indoor mall caters to needs including clothing for both men and women, specialty apparel stores sporting goods outlets, toy shops, footwear stores, jewelry stores offering gifts items as well as home furnishings. Additionally offering supplies with bookstores alongside restaurants for dining options along, with services including medical offices. View homes currently for sale in Parkwoods, Toronto
Parkwoods, Toronto Parks & Facilities
Parkwoods offers a range of activities for residents to enjoy. Those who are into fitness can indulge in ice skating at Fenside Arena, play tennis year round at Cassandra Park and take a dip in the pool at Broadlands community centre. Additionally there are parks equipped with various amenities such as baseball fields, indoor and outdoor pools, basketball courts, tennis courts and playgrounds for children.
Brookbanks Park is a space that runs through the heart of the neighbourhood featuring a lush ravine valley with dense tree cover and a nature trail made of wood chips that sees frequent use by locals. This park is accessible throughout the year. Boasts a pathway perfect for walking, jogging, rollerblading and cycling. In winter residents partake in country skiing and snowshoeing in this snowy paradise.
The Victoria Terrace shopping centre situated at Lawrence and Victoria Park Avenues is home to six Famous Players movie theaters showcasing the Hollywood films. Additionally the Brookbanks Public Library located at 210 Brookbanks Drive houses an auditorium used for both childrens and adult programs.
Parkwoods, Toronto Transit
The local bus service that runs along Parkwoods Village Drive, York Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue connects to the Yonge University Spadina subway line stations. Additionally the Victoria Park Avenue bus provides a link to the Victoria Park station on the Bloor Danforth subway line.
For drivers there is access to downtown Toronto and the city’s network of commuter highways via the Don Valley Parkway. The parkway has north and south ramps located off Lawrence Avenue and York Mills Road. Moreover there is an on-ramp to Highway 401 off Victoria Park Avenue.
Parkwoods, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Parkwoods, located in North York, Toronto is a neighbourhood known for its mix of homes, green spaces and community facilities. It consists mainly of properties such as detached houses, townhomes and apartment buildings. The area boasts parks and recreational amenities that make it an appealing choice for families. Parkwoods offers a range of schooling options including Catholic and private elementary and secondary high schools to ensure that residents have access to quality education. This diverse educational landscape caters to the needs of families, by providing programs and a variety of extracurricular activities for students to enjoy in this friendly neighbourhood.
- Public Schools: 4
- Catholic Schools: 2
- Private Schools: 2
Public Schools:
- Fenside Public School
- Roywood Public School
- Ranchdale Public School
- Victoria Park Collegiate Institute
Catholic Schools:
- Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic School
- Senator O’Connor College School
Private Schools:
- Crestwood Preparatory College
- Toronto French School
Parkwoods, Toronto Homes
During the 1960s Parkwoods saw the development of a variety of homes including two story houses, split level residences and ranch style bungalows. These homes showcase a mix of influences such as Tudor, Georgian Revival and modern design elements.
In Parkwoods you can discover homes situated north of York Mills Road along with a group of rental and condo townhouses, to the south. Moreover there is also a condominium building located on Brookbanks Drive.