Roncesvalles is famous for its vibe and cozy small town atmosphere. It’s a spot among families who appreciate the community centric spaces like Sorauren Park offering a variety of activities. Residents of Roncesvalles also love being near High Park, the Toronto waterfront and the bustling shops and eateries in Roncesvalles Village along Roncesvalles Avenue.
Each September the lively Roncesvalles Polish Festival draws crowds with dancers, fun kids games and rides, lively polka bands and an abundance of food and drinks. During this festival Roncesvalles Avenue transforms into a hub for pedestrians, cyclists, cars and streetcars. The historic buildings along this avenue contribute to the welcoming ambiance and nostalgic charm that define Roncesvalles Village.
History Of Roncesvalles, Toronto
Colonel Walter O’Hara established the settlement of Roncesvalles back in 1850 after serving in the army and then moving to Canada. The area got its name from an event where O’Hara was injured and captured by the French in the Roncesvalles Gorge in Spain. Being originally from Ireland, O’Hara named the streets in Roncesvalles after family members such as O ’Hara, Geoffrey, Constance, Marion and Sorauren.
The roots of the O’Hara clan can be traced back to Fermanaugh, a province in Northern Ireland. The neighbourhood saw development with the arrival of streetcars around the 1900s. Has always had a family friendly vibe. Many British immigrants found work in industries contributing to the community’s growth. St.Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church on Roncesvalles played a role as a hub for early residents.
After World War II an influx of Eastern Europeans, Poles settled in Roncesvalles and established their church called St.Casimir’s. Notably Sir Casimir Gzowski, a patriot who arrived in Toronto in the 1850s played a role in shaping Toronto’s transportation infrastructure by working on roads and railways.
Lifestyle
Roncesvalles Village boasts a shopping area located at Dundas St. West & Roncesvalles Avenue where the community gathers to shop, socialize, and exchange pleasantries. The historic buildings, along this stretch house coffee shops, charming bakeries, diverse restaurants and specialty food stores.
Notable landmarks in the neighbourhood include The Revue Cinema, Toronto’s cinema established in 1911; The High Park Library. A library endowed by Carnegie in 1916; and St. Casimir’s Church was built in 1952 catering to the Polish immigrant population, in Toronto’s west end.
The local Roncesvalles Village BIA organizes events throughout the year with the highlight being the annual Roncesvalles Polish Festival held every September. During this weekend the street is closed off as thousands gather to enjoy music and delicious food. Another must attend event is Roncy Rocks held in June celebrating the talents of musicians, craftsmen and entrepreneurs.
Roncesvalles, Toronto Parks & Facilities
The Fieldhouse, at Sorauren Avenue is a hub for community events. Situated in Sorauren Avenue Park at the intersection of Sorauren and Wabash, the park offers amenities such as tennis courts, sports fields and a playground for children.
Over on Roncesvalles Avenue the High Park Library provides programs catering to both children and adults. High Park stands out as one of Toronto’s parks, located just a short stroll west from this neighbourhood. Within High Park visitors can participate in sports activities like tennis or fishing at Grenadier Pond. The park also features a playground for kids and even a zoo. Nature lovers can explore the trails that wind through the park.
This area boasts an abundance of parks and recreational facilities offering fun for all ages. From kids playgrounds to sports grounds and even dog parks there are seven parks with a total of 32 facilities in this neighbourhood – averaging four facilities per park.
- Number of Parks: 7
- Number of Recreation Facilities: 32
Recreation Facilities in Neighbourhood Parks
- Playgrounds – 7
- Dog Park – 1
- Pool – 1
- Tennis Courts – 2
- Basketball Courts – 4
- Ball Diamonds – 3
- Sports Fields – 2
- Community Centre – 1
- Splash Pads – 6
- Skateboard Park – 1
- Sports Courts – 2
- Gyms – 2
Roncesvalles, Toronto Transit
The streetcar routes, along Queen Street, Dundas Street and Roncesvalles Avenue provide connections to subway stations on the Yonge University Spadina and Bloor Danforth lines. The Lansdowne bus serves the Lansdowne subway station on the Bloor Danforth line while Go Transit operates from the Crossways station at the intersection of Bloor Street West and Dundas Street West offering access to Union Station for commuters. It takes 15 minutes by car to reach the downtown core from this area.
With a total of 80 transit stops in this neighbourhood including Lansdowne Station residents have transportation options. Most people here commute within the city, with medium commute times being common.
Commute Destination for Residents
- Commute within the city – 88%
- Commute to another city – 11%
Commute Types
- Vehicle – 33%
- Transit – 39%
- Walk/bike – 23%
Commute Times of Residents
- 15 to 29 minutes – 28%
- 30 to 44 minutes – 32%
- 45 to 59 minutes – 14%
- 60 minutes and over – 11%
- Less than 15 minutes – 11%
- Work and Education in Roncesvalles
Roncesvalles, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Roncesvalles boasts elementary and secondary high schools, along with specialized programs at both levels. The community is served by a total of 8 schools and 6 Catholic schools. Special programs available in the area encompass French Immersion, International Baccalaureate and Fine Arts offerings.
- Public Schools: 8
- Catholic Schools: 6
Public
- ÉÉ Charles-Sauriol
- Alexander Muir/Gladstone Ave Jr and Sr Public School
- Fern Avenue Jr and Sr Public School
- Parkdale Jr and Sr Public School
- ÉS Toronto Ouest
- ÉÉ Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau
- Parkdale Collegiate Institute
- Howard Junior Public School
Catholic
- St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
- ÉÉC du Sacré-Coeur-Toronto
- Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton CSS & Regional Arts Centre
- St. Helen Catholic School
- St. Josaphat Catholic School
- ÉSC Saint-Frère-André
Roncesvalles, Toronto Homes
Roncesvalles Village is filled with homes, from the turn of the century each adorned with architectural features. Lovely front porches and maintained gardens complement these houses. The streets are lined with a canopy of trees creating a delightful urban landscape. Most of the homes are either. Semi detached, with some houses scattered throughout. Garages are discreetly positioned at the back of the properties via laneways.
In addition to the Victorian style residences there is a cluster of townhouses near Sorauren Park along with a handful of boutique low rise condominium buildings and lofts.