Parkdale’s history began in the late 1800s when it was an elite residential suburb that rivaled Rosedale as Toronto’s most desirable address. Parkdale’s popularity led to its incorporation as a village in 1878 and shortly after in 1889, it was voted in favour of amalgamation with the City of Toronto. Parkdale became Toronto’s playground by the lake in 1922 when the Sunnyside Amusement Park opened for business. In 1956, Sunnyside was shut down by the city in order to make room for the Gardiner Expressway and a revitalized Lake Shore Boulevard. Unfortunately, the construction of these expressways cut Parkdale off from the lake and the businesses that once thrived in the area. At present, Parkdale is once again emerging and being rebuilt as a prominent Toronto neighbourhood.
Parkdale Toronto is located north of Lake Shore Boulevard, south of Bloor Street, east of Roncesvalles and west of Dufferin Street. The community is also located within walking distance of High Park and extensive paths and parks along Toronto’s waterfront. The area is serviced by four community centres as well as two public libraries, providing residents with community programs and amenities. The main shopping area for Parkdale Toronto has long been Queen Street which offers a vibrant mix of shops and restaurants. The Roncesvalles Village shopping district, just north of Queen Street, is the cultural centre of Toronto’s polish community which offers outstanding food markets, delis and restaurants. Streetcar service on Queen Street, King Street and Roncesvalles Avenue connect passengers to downtown or to subway stations on the Bloor-Danforth subway line. Motorists are just minutes from downtown with direct access to both the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard.
South Parkdale’s charming grand mansions were built between 1875 and 1895 while the houses in the north end, though a bit more modest, were built between 1900 and 1910.
For more information on the Parkdale Toronto neighbourhood – contact Slavens & Associates today at:
435 Eglinton Avenue West
Toronto, ON M5N 1A4
Telephone: 416-483-4337
Fax: 416-483-1663
Toll free: 1-877-560-8923
Email: info@slavensrealestate.com
