High Park

HISTORY: The High Park neighbourhood contains a wealth of history. The area north of Bloor Street was formerly part of the town of West Toronto Junction, which was annexed by the City of Toronto in 1909. The historical house at 191 High Park Avenue was built in 1888 for D.W. Clendenan, the first mayor of West Toronto Junction. John Howard - Toronto's first surveyor, purchased the High Park property south of Bloor Street, in 1836. Howard named his estate High Park because of its magnificent view of Lake Ontario. In 1873 Howard deeded his beloved High Park estate to the City of Toronto. John Howard's former residence - Colborne Lodge - is still situated on its original site in High Park, where it is now a museum.

HOMES: High Park's winding tree-lined streets are lined with impressive Victorian, Edwardian, and Tudor style homes. These captivating houses were built largely during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Several of these houses have been divided into multiple-family dwellings. High Park's distinctive brick homes feature a variety of architectural details that vary from house to house. These features include leaded and stained glass windows, lush wood trims, French doors, hardwood floors and fireplaces. The High Park neighbourhood also features a selection of condominium apartment buildings along Quebec Avenue, north of Bloor Street. These apartments are in the entry-level price range. They include balconies, some of which feature south views that overlook High Park and Lake Ontario.

SHOPPING: High Park is conveniently located within walking distance of 'Bloor West Village', one of Toronto's most popular shopping districts. The "Village" is known across the City for its European bakeries, delicatessens, specialty food shops, cafes and restaurants. High Park's other major shopping area is the Junction Gardens along Dundas Street West. This recently revitalized retail district has gone back to its roots as a railway centre by incorporating a railway lantern into the heritage street signs along Dundas Street.

RECREATION: High Park encompasses 399 acres of public parkland. This city park includes a fishing pond, an outdoor theatre, animal paddocks, picnic grounds, playgrounds, a restaurant, an historic museum, flower gardens, an adventure playground and a trackless train.

High Park's sports facilities include tennis, baseball, soccer, lawn bowling, swimming, and skating, as well as walking, jogging and cycling paths found throughout the park.
You can read all about the rich history of High Park at the Runnymede Public Library on Bloor Street or the High Park Public Library on Roncesvalles. Both these libraries offer a myriad of programs for neighbourhood residents.

SCHOOLS:
(P) High Park Alternative Jr., 265 Annette St.,
(416) 393-9050
(P) Keele St. Jr., 99 Mountview Ave., (416) 393-9035
(P) Mountview Alternative Jr., 99 Mountview Ave.,
(416) 393-9037
(P) Runnymede Jr. & Sr., 357 Runnymede Rd.,
(416) 393-9055
(P) Annette Jr.& Sr., 265 Annette St., (416) 393-9040
(PH) Humberside Collegiate Institute, 280 Quebec Ave.,
(416) 393-0000
(PH) Western Technical Commercial School, 125 Evelyn
Cres., (416) 393-0500
(5) St. Cecelia, 355 Annette St., (416) 393-5218
(PR) Montessori High Park School, 35 High Park Gardens
(416) 763-6097
(PR) Montessori Humberside School, 411 Clendenan Ave.,
(416) 762-8888

TRANSPORTATION: The Bloor-Danforth subway line has three stations serving the High Park neighbourhood including the Runnymede, High Park, and Keele stations.
Motorists are approximately five minutes from the Queensway, which connects commuters to Lake Shore Boulevard and the Gardiner Expressway.

©Your Guide to Toronto Neighbourhoods

© Andrea Morrison, 2005-2009, Sales Representative, National Chairman’s Club Award Winner. All rights reserved.
Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage Bloor West Village Office | Phone 416-762-8255

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