Willowdale is a diverse hub featuring upscale condos, custom homes gleaming office buildings, a recently revamped mall and theater complex, a modern civic centre, an impressive aquatic facility and a renowned Performing Arts Centre that showcases both local and international talent.
Additionally Willowdale is where you’ll find the renovated Earl Haig Secondary School known for its academic standing. The school’s Claude Watson Arts Program offers students the opportunity to specialize in dance, drama, music or visual arts.
History Of Willowdale, Toronto
Willowdale was first settled by Jacob Cummer, an immigrant from the United States who arrived in Canada in 1797. Cummer, a mill owner along the Don River, also ran a tinsmith shop on Yonge Street. Had skills as a self taught doctor and veterinarian. His esteemed reputation among his neighbors led to the area being known as Kummer’s Settlement.
Another prominent figure in the community was David Gibson, a land surveyor who played a role in the Toronto Rebellion of 1837 along with others in the neighbourhood. Following his involvement Gibson faced charges of treason. Sought refuge in the United States where he worked as the First Assistant Engineer on constructing the Erie Canal.
Upon receiving a pardon for his actions during the Rebellion Gibson returned to his farm on Yonge Street in 1851. He played a role in establishing the “Willow Dale” post office, named after the willow trees that once adorned the area. Into the 1920s when Willowdale began to develop into a subdivision members of the Gibson family continued to reside at Gibson House.
Note; The historic Gibson House, built around 1851 remains preserved at its location, at 5172 Yonge Street and now serves as a museum showcasing its heritage.
Lifestyle
The shopping area, along Yonge Street that cuts through the heart of this neighbourhood offers a blend of shops, large retail stores, specialty boutiques, fast food joints, cozy plazas and a sizable mall. This lively shopping hub also boasts an array of dining options with cuisines from around the world like French, Italian, Greek, Chinese, Japanese and Middle Eastern fare. For those who prefer cooking at home there are plenty of food markets scattered along this street.
At the Bayview Village Shopping Centre situated at the intersection of Bayview and Sheppard Avenues you’ll find an array of clothing stores and eateries. Willowdale Avenue in the part of the neighbourhood caters to residents with convenience focused shopping options and is home to various specialty service shops and professional offices.
Willowdale, Toronto Parks & Facilities
The North York Civic Centre, situated on Beecroft Road a block away from Yonge Street is a complex housing both the Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre and the North York Central Library. Beside the centre lies Mel Lastman Square, a well liked public space featuring an expansive amphitheatre, charming wedding pavilions, a serene garden court and a reflective pool that transforms into an ice skating rink during the winter months. Adjacent to Mel Lastman Square stands the Meridian Arts Centre for the Performing Arts, which encompasses the Art Gallery of North York, the George Weston Recital Hall and the Studio Theatre. Across from the centre at 150 Beecroft Road is where you’ll find the Willowdale Lawn Bowling Club.
Meanwhile at 89 Church Avenue sits the Mitchell Field Community Centre offering amenities like an ice arena, indoor pool, gymnasium and community meeting spaces. For sports enthusiasts Bayview Village Park off Bayview Avenue and Edithvale Park on Edithvale Drive boast tennis courts and baseball diamonds respectively. Willowdale Park on Hollywood Avenue also features tennis courts for use. Additionally within the Willowdale neighbourhood are children’s parks, with playgrounds scattered throughout.
The development of Downsview Park began in 2006. Is a project. It will continue to grow over the coming decades as outlined in the master plan, which includes establishing five communities with a mix of areas green spaces, commercial zones, educational facilities and institutional spaces. This stands as one of the redevelopment ventures ever launched in Toronto.
Downsview Park is home to attractions like the Discovery Centre and Film Studios. It has welcomed tenants such as the Air and Space Museum, Defcon Paintball, Downsview Park Arts Alliance, Downsview Park Merchants Market, Grand Prix Kartways, Hoop Dome, North York Soccer Association, The Rail Skate Park, Toronto Roller Derby League, Toronto School of Circus Arts Treble Clef Music School and True North Climbing.
Hosting events all year round is part of what makes Downsview Park special. From fall fairs to street hockey tournaments to Earth Day festivals in spring and dazzling Trail of Lights during Christmas. There’s always something happening at the park. With its array of top notch facilities and engaging events Downsview Park is set to become a spot in Toronto.
- Number of Parks: 11
- Number of Recreation Facilities: 25
Recreation Facilities in Neighbourhood Parks
- Playgrounds – 7
- Pool – 1
- Rink – 1
- Basketball Court – 1
- Ball Diamonds – 2
- Sports Field – 1
- Track – 1
- Community Centres – 2
- Botanical Garden – 1
- Trails – 2
- Arts/Performance Facilities – 3
- Fitness/Weight Rooms – 2
- Gym – 1
Willowdale, Toronto Transit
Bus services running along Sheppard, Finch and Bayview Avenues offer connections for passengers to access stations on the Yonge University Spadina subway line. The Bathurst Street bus provides a link to the Bathurst station on the Bloor Danforth subway line. Additionally at the Finch subway station there is a York Region GO Transit bus terminal catering to commuters traveling north of the city.
Yonge Street serves as a thoroughfare in Willowdale offering residents a route in and out of the city. Easy access to Highway 401 can be found via, on ramps located off Bayview Avenue and Yonge Street situated south of Sheppard Avenue.
Within this neighbourhood there are a total of 80 transit stops servicing the community. The area includes North York Centre Station among its rail stations. Willowdale West has a mix of commuters who use both vehicles and public transit for their travel needs with commuting within the city limits.
Commute Destination for Residents
- Commute within the city – 76%
- Commute to another city – 23%
Commute Types
- Vehicle – 51%
- Transit – 41%
- Walk/bike – 5%
Commute Times of Residents
- 15 to 29 minutes – 24%
- 30 to 44 minutes – 31%
- 45 to 59 minutes – 18%
- 60 minutes and over – 15%
- Less than 15 minutes – 10%
Willowdale, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
This area features programs for both elementary and secondary education. It is served by a total of 6 schools, 5 Catholic schools and 1 private school. The educational offerings in the schools encompass Montessori, International Baccalaureate, Immersion and Advanced Placement programs.
- Public Schools: 6
- Catholic Schools: 5
- Private Schools: 1
Public
- Yorkview Public School
- ÉÉ Paul-Demers
- Willowdale Middle School
- Northview Heights Secondary School
- Churchill Public School
- ÉS Étienne-Brûlé
Catholic
- ÉSC Monseigneur-de-Charbonnel
- St. Edward Catholic School
- St. Antoine Daniel Catholic School
- St. Cyril Catholic School
- ÉÉC Saint-Noël-Chabanel-Toronto
Private
- Toronto French Montessori School
Willowdale, Toronto Homes
Willowdale boasts streets adorned with trees featuring a blend of vintage and modern residences. The original housing inventory, from the 1940s and 50s comprises bungalows and attractive two story brick homes. Recently many of these properties have been replaced by custom designed houses due to the generous lot sizes in the area. Additionally Willowdale offers a range of condominium townhomes and apartments providing an affordable housing option for those looking to settle in this sought after North York neighbourhood.
The community predominantly consists of condos and apartments reflecting a population where over half of households have relocated in the five years with a significant 21% moving within the past year. Willowdale features a mix of new residences primarily occupied by homeowners.