Upon arriving at Topham Park one immediately notices the pride of ownership reflected in the appearance of each home, within the neighbourhood. It is a knit community comprising a few hundred residences nestled on charming streets and picturesque cul de sacs. This area holds a charm that resonates with individuals as evidenced by children who have grown up here and later returned as adults to start families of their own.
History Of Topham Park, Toronto
Topham Park used to be an apple orchard, until 1944 when it was acquired by the government for War Veterans housing. The development of the Topham Park area was overseen by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation from 1944 to 1946. The streets were given names with significance like ‘Warvet’ and ‘Valor’ while some were named after military figures such as ‘Merritt’ named after Lieutenant Colonel Cecil Merritt, who was a recipient of Canada’s second Victoria Cross.
In its days Topham Park was affectionately known as “Sunshine Valley” thanks to a bus driver nicknamed ‘Mac’ who would announce “All out for Sunshine Valley” at stops in the neighbourhood. Original residents fondly remember it as a place with children and abundant sunlight bathing the homes due to the lack of shade trees back then.
Today the neighbourhood is named after the park, which itself honors Frederick Topham, another Victoria Cross recipient who once resided in this area.
Lifestyle
Residents of Topham Park have the convenience of strolling to the intersection of Victoria Park and St. Clair Avenue, where they can find a grocery store, alongside various smaller shops, eateries and essential services, like medical and professional offices. Moreover along St. Clair Avenue there are stores that cater to household needs.
Topham Park, Toronto Parks & Facilities
Topham Park, situated in the heart of this community boasts a baseball field where mens, womens and childrens softball leagues play. The park also offers two tennis courts, a clubhouse and a playground, for children. During the winter months visitors can enjoy skating and playing hockey on the natural ice rink at Topham Park. Additionally recreational activities for the community are organized at Selwyn School on 1 Selwyn Avenue.
Topham Park, Toronto Transit
The buses that run along St. Clair Avenue and O’Connor Drive connect, with the Coxwell station, on the Bloor Danforth subway line.
Drivers can easily reach downtown using the Don Valley Parkway, which also connects to Toronto’s network of commuter highways.
Topham Park, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Topham Park, situated in the part of Toronto is a family friendly neighbourhood renowned for its quaint post war bungalows and peaceful tree lined streets. It exudes a charm amid the landscape. The knit community, in Topham Park frequently engages in events and activities centred around the neighbourhood’s namesake park, which boasts a playground, sports fields and a community garden. Residents enjoy access to shopping, dining venues and public transportation options making daily commutes and accessing amenities convenient.
The neighbourhood is home to institutions for elementary and secondary high school such as public schools, Catholic schools and private schools that offer high quality education tailored to children of all ages. Families in Topham Park have an array of schooling choices to ensure that children receive notch educational opportunities. Whether attending schools or private institutions students benefit from an education within a nurturing and community oriented setting.
- Public Schools: 5
- Catholic Schools: 4
- Private Schools: 2
Public Schools:
- Selwyn Elementary School
- Victoria Park Elementary School
- Gordon A. Brown Middle School
- East York Collegiate Institute
- SATEC @ W.A. Porter Collegiate Institute
Catholic Schools:
- St. Aloysius Catholic School
- Canadian Martyrs Catholic School
- High Schools:
- Neil McNeil High School
- Notre Dame High School
Private Schools:
- Crescent School
- Bayview Glen School
Topham Park, Toronto Homes
The historic ‘War Veterans homes, in Topham Park stand at the heart of the community nestled between Selwyn and Squires Avenues stretching from St. Clair Avenue to Tiago Avenue. Constructed between 1944 and 1946 these homes are easily recognizable, by their vibrant frame siding and charming front porches that overlook maintained lawns. Over the years many of these homes have been thoughtfully renovated while maintaining their character and appeal.
The surrounding streets feature solid brick bungalows, as detached one and a half story and two story houses mostly constructed in the late 1940s.