The Elms is a neighbourhood, with residents hailing from economic and cultural backgrounds. Nestled beside the Humber River Valley corridor the area boasts parks, old trees and diverse landscapes. The serene ambiance of this community is occasionally disrupted by the sound of airplanes passing overhead on their way to Pearson International Airport.
History Of The Elms, Toronto
The Elms neighbourhood got its name from the Elms Golf Club, which used to cover all the land, between Islington Avenue and Albion Road above Hadrian Drive. There was another golf course called Pine Point south of the Elms course. Today you can still see the Pine Point clubhouse at Pine Point Park now serving as the Thistletown Lions Clubs headquarters.
Back in the 1950s developers who created Rexdale bought the Pine Point Golf Course. Today some people refer to the area below Hadrian Drive as “Old Rexdale.” The development of the Elms Golf course site happened later in the mid 1960s.
In the 1970s residents formed The Elms Ratepayers Association to oppose extending Wilson Avenue through their neighbourhood’s ravine valley. Fortunately they were successful in stopping this plan. One of their achievements was advocating for. Northern Elms Public Library opened at Rexdale Plaza back in 1995.
Lifestyle
Rexdale Plaza, situated at the intersection of Islington Avenue and Rexdale Boulevard boasts an grocery store, numerous budget friendly stores, shops, for sports and childrens apparel, offices for professionals, a womens fitness centre and the Northern Elms Public Library.
Both Islington Avenue and Albion Road are home to clusters of quaint shopping centres housing a diverse selection of food stores and restaurants representing various cultures.
The Elms, Toronto Parks & Facilities
The Elms Community School, situated at 45 Golfdown Road features a pool and gym facilities. Throughout the school year various programs are available, for preschoolers, children, youth and adults including dance classes, piano lessons, gymnastics, cartooning, ballet and drama sessions. The school’s activities pause during summer to make way for the Elms summer camp program. In June each year residents of the neighbourhood gather for the “Fun Day” at The Elms Community School to enjoy games, a garage sale, entertainment and a barbecue.
Berry Creek Valley meanders through this neighbourhood as part of the Humber River Valley watershed. Elms Park can be found in the stretch of Berry Creek Valley between Islington Avenue and Norfield Crescent. This park boasts a walking trail and a playground for children.
At the end of this neighbourhood near Albion Road is where you can access the West Humber Parkland Trail. This 5.5 kilometre paved trail leads through the valley to Humber Arboretum where visitors can explore plant life and wildlife species. Across from the parking lot of West Humber Trail lies Summerlea Park – offering amenities such as a baseball diamond, playground, for kids and tennis courts that transform into an ice rink during winter. Pine Point Park stretches along the edge of the neighbourhood offering a range of activities.
It features the Pine Point Indoor Arena serving as the hub for the Etobicoke Hockey League, a figure skating club and a ball hockey league. Adjacent to the arena is the Pine Point Banquet Hall, hosting cultural and business gatherings. The park also boasts four clay tennis courts, a pool, a hockey rink, a sports field and a playground for children. Additionally it serves as the starting point for a 1.7 kilometer trail that includes bridges over the Humber River and nearby Berry Creek.
The Humber Valley Golf Course, at Albion Road and Beattie Avenue offers a par 70 course with a mix of links style and valleyland holes.
The Elms, Toronto Transit
Passengers can catch buses from both Islington Avenue and Albion Road to reach Islington station, on the Bloor Danforth subway line. For drivers it takes more than five minutes to reach the Highway 401 on ramps at Islington Avenue and Weston Road providing access to Toronto’s commuter highway network.
The Elms, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
The Elms is a diverse community situated in the part of Toronto. Renowned for its spaces like The Elms Park and a mix of housing choices from houses to apartments The Elms provides a welcoming atmosphere for families with easy access to amenities and public transportation. The area boasts facilities, including public, Catholic and private schools ensuring children of all ages receive a top notch education. In The Elms, Toronto families have a variety of schooling options to cater to their children’s needs. These elementary and secondary schools offer programs and diverse extracurricular activities that enhance the learning experience for students, in this bustling neighbourhood.
- Public Schools: 5
- Catholic Schools: 3
- Private Schools: 2
Public Schools:
- The Elms Junior Middle School
- Elmlea Junior School
- Braeburn Junior School
- Thistletown Collegiate Institute
- West Humber Collegiate Institute
Catholic Schools:
- St. Stephen Catholic School
- St. Andrew Catholic School
- Monsignor Percy Johnson Catholic Secondary School
Private Schools:
- Kingsway College School
- Rowntree Montessori Schools
The Elms, Toronto Homes
The Elms area boasts a collection of homes constructed mainly in the 1950s and 1960s. These houses are generally well maintained with landscaping. Many of them are situated near ravines or parks. The neighbourhood features a mix of styles such as ranch, contemporary, raised bungalows, split level homes, storey and a half houses, detached properties, two storey Georgian Revival homes and some newer custom built residences.
In the area of Albion Road near Summerlea Park there is a sense of continuity in housing compared to the west side of Albion Road. Additionally this section includes low rise rental apartment buildings and townhomes managed by the Metro Toronto Housing Authority.