The History
In the late 1800s, Parkdale was an exclusive suburban area. It was incorporated as a village in 1878 and was later amalgamated with Toronto in 1889. Parkdale hit peak popularity when Sunnyside Amusement Park and Bathing Pavilion opened on its beaches in 1922. It was shut down in 1956 to make room for the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard, which cut the community off from the waterfront and instigated its decline in popularity and status.
The Real Estate
This West Toronto neighbourhood has a combination of affordable single-family and multi-unit Victorian homes. South Parkdale has many traditional mansions built between 1875 and 1895 that have since been converted into bachelorette apartments or single room rentals. Houses in the north end above Queen Street that were mostly built between 1900 and 1910 are smaller but still charming.
The Communities
Parkdale is within walking distance to High Park, where you can enjoy the trails, picnic areas, off leash dog park, a small zoo and more. It’s also close to the waterfront, where you’ll find more jogging and cycling paths. If you’re looking to spend some time indoors, Parkdale has four community centres, the Parkdale Public Library on Queen Street, and High Park Public Library on Roncesvalles Avenue.
The Amenities
Parkdale is home to some of Toronto’s most vibrant shops. The nearby Queen Street strip has an eclectic mix of bars, furniture stores and vintage boutiques, while Roncesvalles Village boasts even more speciality shops and cafés influenced by its Polish heritage.
The neighbourhood is well served by public transit, with the Queen Street streetcar service available 24 hours. Other routes on King Street, Dundas Street, Roncesvalles Avenue and Macdonell Avenue connect to both the Bloor-Danforth and Yonge-University-Spadina lines. Residents have direct access to the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard, and the downtown core is just minutes away.