Syme is on the brink of a growth spurt thanks to the opening of the Eglinton Crosstown subway, which is expected to kickstart a revival in this area. The York Recreation Centre, a 67,000 square foot facility set to open in 2017 will be fully accessible. Positioned next to the side of the Black Creek this centre will boast a roof and various sustainable features aligned with Toronto’s Green Standard guidelines. With community input in its design it will offer an array of amenities including a swimming pool. Situated at 115 Black Creek Drive at the intersection of Eglinton Ave. West and Black Creek Drive, York Recreation Centre provides access with over 100 parking spots for visitors. Once construction wraps up residents can easily access the Eglinton subway extension within a few steps.
The Syme neighbourhood is enveloped by the allure. Undulating terrain of the Black Creek Valley offering ample parkland and housing its own Syme 55+ seniors centre. Rockcliffe Middle School mirrors the fabric of this community with flags from over forty different backgrounds adorning its main foyer as symbols of its student populations’ varied heritage.
History Of Syme , Toronto
This area is named after George Syme, a man from Scotland who moved to Canada with his family in 1862. Syme settled in this region during the 1870s, when he bought twenty five acres of land for gardening in the “Black Creek Valley.”
Syme grew plants, fruits and vegetables on his farm. He soon gained wealth by supplying produce to the markets in Toronto. In 1898 Syme shifted from farming to start a career in politics. He was elected to the York Township Community Council. Later became one of Ontarios serving school trustees.
In the 1900s Syme made the decision to sell his property in “Black Creek Valley.” As a gesture of generosity he donated a portion of his land to York Township. When the local school was constructed in 1909 on the land given by George Syme it was aptly named George Syme School as a tribute to its donor.
Lifestyle
There are shops, convenience stores and eateries scattered along St. Clair Avenue West. Moving north on Jane Street you’ll find a neighbourhood shopping centres.
The Stockyards Centre, situated at St. Clair Avenue and Keele Street is a shopping plaza featuring a Metro grocery store, as its anchor. In addition to the grocery store this plaza houses a bank, a pharmacy, an electronics store and a Starbucks.
Stock Yards Village at 1980 St. Clair Avenue West is a retail centre in an urban setting with over 554,000 square feet of retail and office space. Major retailers here include Marshals, Winners, Home Sense, Michaels and more.
Syme, Toronto Parks & Facilities
Black Creek Park is an area situated off Rockcliffe Boulevard. The Black Creek meanders through the heart of the park guided by a channel designed for flood control purposes. Tree planting initiatives began in 1991 as part of the Black Creek Rehabilitation Project led by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority. Recently the Toronto Parks and Recreation Department added a walkway to enhance pedestrian access, in Black Creek Park.
Caffney Park is a space stretching from Castleton Avenue to Blakely Avenue. It features a trail, a playground for children and stunning vistas of the Black Creek Valley.
At 69 Pritchard Avenue stands George Syme Community School offering an array of programs for residents.
The Dave Appleton Community Centre at 33 Pritchard Avenue is home to the George S. Syme Seniors’ Centre of York. This facility hosts clinics, workshops and special events. Bingo and dancing are pastimes, with its own cozy Syme Cafe adding to its charm.
Syme, Toronto Transit
The Rockcliffe Boulevard and Jane Street buses take riders to the Runnymede and Jane stations, on the Bloor Danforth subway line. Additionally the St. Clair bus goes to St. Clair West station, on the Yonge University Spadina subway line.
Drivers can reach Highway 401 in around ten minutes by using Black Creek Drive. St. Clair Avenue West serves as a road that offers a straight path into the heart of the city.
Syme, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
As part of the Model Schools for Inner City initiative George Syme School is dedicated to enhancing student success through connections with families and the local community. Situated in an open concept setting near Jane and St. Clair Avenue West, George Syme features a French Immersion program. The elementary and secondary school‘s rich diversity shines through in conversations and activities with students, parents and staff conversing in more than 30 languages. Our approach focuses on engaging students as catalysts for change through units of study. Serving as a point for the neighbourhood, George Syme provides a range of programs for both students and parents during and after school hours.
Syme, Toronto Homes
This area features cottages that used to be market gardens dating back to the late 1800s. These cottages were built before the neighbourhood was divided so they sit back from the road compared to houses. Most of George Symes residences were constructed in the 1900s. The architectural styles of the houses vary, including detached homes and detached houses with gambrel roofs reminiscent of country barns. Additionally there are types of bungalows and some larger modern homes in the area.