Woburn is a community, with a focus on families featuring streets lined with trees and a variety of affordable homes. It is surrounded by industry and Highway 401 to the north while park spaces abound along the southern edges of Woburn. Notable places in the area include Centennial College (Progress Campus) Scarborough Centennial Recreation Centre, the updated Cedarbrae Mall and Scarborough Golf and Country Club.
History Of Woburn, Toronto
Woburn was initially known as “Elderslie.” The name was changed in 1856 when a post office was established at the Woburn Inn, owned by Thomas Dowswell from the town of Woburn.
The Woburn Inn held significance as the gathering place for the Scarborough Municipal Council. Meetings of the Township of Scarborough were held there until 1921, when they relocated to Kingston Road.
During the neighbourhood’s urbanization in the 1950s the iconic Woburn Inn was demolished to make way for the Painted Post Plaza. A large stone marker, with a plaque now stands near the shopping plaza in honor of the Woburn Inn.
Lifestyle
Woburn’s primary shopping area can be found at the crossing of Lawrence Avenue and Markham Road. The Cedarbrae Mall, recently renovated, stands on the corner. Is home to Zellers, Canadian Tire and Loblaws supermarket. With a variety of over seventy retailers in the mall.
On the side at the corner of Markham Road and Lawrence Avenue lies Cedar Heights Plaza. It boasts a supermarket, pharmacy, discount department store, hardware store, sports store, bargain stores, professional and medical offices, a family restaurant as well as an East and West Indian food shop.
Ellesmere Road is dotted with shopping plazas housing discount warehouses and factory outlets that are open to the public. Additionally you can find a garden centre and a bingo emporium along this bustling shopping stretch.
The Painted Post Plaza situated at Painted Post Drive and Markham Road intersection hosts a handful of community centric stores including a bank, hair stylist, beauty salon, dry cleaners, convenience store as fish and chips restaurant along with an East Indian eatery.
Woburn, Toronto Parks & Facilities
The Scarborough Centennial Recreation Centre, situated at 1967 Ellesmere Road boasts two ice arenas. One arena is dedicated to hockey leagues and programs while the other, known as the “Ice Galaxy” arena is perfect for figure skating and leisurely skating activities. Additionally the centre houses an auditorium with seating for up to two hundred people and a designated children’s area called the “Tots Room.” Adjacent to the community centre is a park featuring amenities like tennis courts, a baseball diamond and basketball courts.
Nestled in a ravine setting off Daphne Road is the Cedarbrook Community Centre and Park. This contemporary facility includes a second floor ballroom and sun deck that provides views of the surrounding parkland. For art enthusiasts the Cedar Ridge Creative Centre at 225 Confederation Drive serves as a hub for arts with gallery spaces showcasing artists works and offering art courses and workshops.
The neighbourhood offers opportunities for recreation with its parks and recreational facilities. Parks in this area cater to interests including playgrounds for children, sports parks, dog friendly spaces and skating rinks. With a total of 22 parks housing 82 facilities there is an average of three facilities per park, in this vibrant community.
Woburn, Toronto Transit
In Woburn residents have access to bus services along Bellamy, Markham and Ellesmere Roads. These bus routes are connected to the Scarborough Rapid Transit. Go Transit lines.
For drivers heading north on Markham Road leads to Highway 401 offering access to parts of the city. On the other hand traveling south on Markham Road allows for a transition, onto Kingston Road, a picturesque route leading into downtown Toronto.
Within this neighbourhood there are a total of 251 transit stops available. Additionally residents can utilize Midland Station for rail transportation. Woburn has a mix of commuters using both vehicles and public transit with commuting within the city boundaries.
Woburn, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Woburn boasts schools, specialized programs, for both elementary and secondary levels. The neighbourhood is served by a total of 20 schools, 9 schools and 9 private schools. Some of the programs in these schools are International Baccalaureate, Islamic studies, All Male and All Female programs, Advanced Placement courses, French Immersion program, Gifted/Talented Program as well as offerings for other religions and Christian education.
- Public Schools: 20
- Catholic Schools: 9
- Private Schools: 9
Public
- ÉS Étienne-Brûlé
- Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute
- Tredway Woodsworth Public School
- Churchill Heights Public School
- ÉÉ Laure-Rièse
- Académie Alexandre-Dumas
- Bellmere Junior Public School
- ÉS Ronald-Marion
- Woburn Collegiate Institute
- Willow Park Junior Public School
- Golf Road Junior Public School
- Henry Hudson Senior Public School
- Cornell Junior Public School
- North Bendale Junior Public School
- Woburn Junior Public School
- Tecumseh Senior Public School
- Bendale Junior Public School
- George B. Little Public School
- Cedarbrook Public School
- David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute
Catholic
- ÉSC Père-Philippe-Lamarche
- St. Ursula Catholic School
- St. Richard Catholic School
- St. Thomas More Catholic School
- St. Barbara Catholic School
- St. Rose of Lima Catholic School
- St. Nicholas Catholic School
- ÉÉC Saint-Michel
- ÉÉC Saint-Jean-de-Lalande
Private
- Mariyah Islamic School
- Madinatul Uloom Academy – Boys Campus
- FH International High School
- Talenta Academy
- Z3 Education Centre Private School
- Madinatul Uloom Academy – Primary Campus
- Madinatul Uloom Academy – Girls Campus
- Al Haadi School
- Three Fishes Christian Elementary School
Woburn, Toronto Homes
Woburn is known for its holmes dating back to the 1950s and 1960s. The housing options in this area range from detached houses and cozy bungalows to townhouses and split level homes. Along Lawrence Avenue East you’ll also find a variety of apartment buildings adding to the diverse housing landscape of the neighbourhood.
The community of Woburn boasts a blend of types of residences reflecting a population. 39% of households have relocated within the five years with an additional 13% making moves in the past year. Characterized by properties Woburn is home to both homeowners and renters creating a harmonious mix of living arrangements.