Old East York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Old East York
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Neighbourhood
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Aerial view of Old East York near Donlands Avenue in 2023
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Vicinity
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 Old East York
Location in Toronto
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| City | Toronto |
| Community | Toronto & East York |
| Changed Municipality | 1924 East York from York 1998 Toronto from East York |
Old East York is a cool part of Toronto, a big city in Ontario, Canada. It used to be the southern, city-like part of what was called East York.
It's right next to the old City of Toronto. Its borders are the Don River Valley to the west, Taylor-Massey Creek to the north, and Victoria Park Avenue to the east.
Many of the buildings in Old East York, especially south of Cosburn, were built before World War II. They were designed for walking around easily. At first, many people from Britain and Ireland moved here. Today, Old East York is home to people from all over the world, including those with Greek, Bangladeshi, and Chinese backgrounds.
Old East York is made up of several smaller neighbourhoods.
Discover the Neighbourhoods of Old East York
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Broadview North: A Mix of Homes
Broadview North is on the western side of Old East York. It's bordered by Pape Avenue to the east and the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) to the west and north. This area has many apartments and high-rise buildings. Over 70% of people here rent their homes.
In the very north, you'll find many bungalows. Some of these are being rebuilt into bigger, two-story houses. This is because the area is nice and housing prices can be lower. Broadview North has large Greek and Serbian communities.
Crescent Town: A Diverse Community
Crescent Town is on the eastern side of Old East York. It was built on the land where the Crescent School used to be. This location was chosen because it's close to the Victoria Park subway station.
The original Crescent School was a private boys' school. It was located here from 1933 to 1969. The land was given by Susan Massey, whose family owned the company Massey Ferguson.
Today, Crescent Town is a very diverse neighbourhood. Many people from Bangladesh, Jamaica, Pakistan, and Tamil Canada live here. The homes are a mix of mid-rise apartments, old Victorian mansions, and modern high-rise condos. You can also see charming Edwardian cottages and Craftsman homes from the 1920s.
The nearby part of Danforth Avenue is a hub for Bangladeshi culture. You'll find many grocery stores, restaurants, and clothing shops there.
The Taylor-Massey Creek area is a beautiful parkland. It's home to the Children’s Peace Theatre. This theatre is located in the Massey-Goulding Estate, a home built in 1921.
Dentonia Park: Green Spaces and History
Dentonia Park is on the eastern edge of Old East York. It's south of Crescent Town and west of Victoria Park. The neighbourhood has an athletic field and a park called Dentonia Park Athletic Field. There's also a street named Dentonia Park Avenue. A golf course, Dentonia Park Golf Course, is just across Victoria Park.
The park is bordered to the north by the Taylor Massey Creek Hydro Corridor. This area used to be the tracks for the Canadian Northern Ontario Railway.
Glebe Land/Danforth Village: The Heart of Old East York
Glebe Land/Danforth Village is in the middle of Old East York. A long time ago, much of this central area was set aside as 'Clergy Reserves'. This meant the land was kept for the church.
Over time, these lands were sold off and developed. The area between Donlands and Woodbine started to grow after the Prince Edward Viaduct and Leslie Bridge were built. It also grew after the old Todmorden postal village, west of Donlands, became Pape Village.
Because this area is so central and used to have the East York Municipal Office and East York Collegiate Institute, people often just call it "East York" or "Old East York."
Pape Village: A Lively Shopping Street
Pape Village is a busy shopping area in the eastern part of Old East York. It's located along Pape Avenue. This street has a mix of small shops, restaurants, and places that offer personal services.
Todmorden Village: Nature Close to the City
Todmorden Village is north of O'Connor, right at the edge of Old East York. Much of this village sits on top of the Don Valley Ravine. This ravine is full of trees and forests.
The many mature trees make this area very peaceful and natural. It's amazing to find such a quiet, green space so close to downtown Toronto. Where Pape and Donlands go north past O'Connor, you'll find beautiful homes on just a few streets.
Woodbine Heights: Historic Homes and New Families
Woodbine Heights is an older neighbourhood with buildings from the Edwardian era. It's located in both Old East York and old Toronto. Its borders are Coxwell to the west, Main to the east, the Taylor-Massey Creek Ravine to the north, and Danforth to the south.
Key areas include "East York Village" on Coxwell Avenue and "Woodbine Village" around Woodbine and Mortimer. Woodbine Heights was developed earlier than some other parts of Old East York. It grew around the railway station and horse-racing facilities at Main and Danforth.
The homes here are mostly Edwardian in style. They often have unique designs like Dutch Colonial Revival, Classical, and Cotswold styles.
Important landmarks include the Michael Garron Hospital (formerly Toronto East General Hospital), which is a teaching hospital founded in 1929. Other landmarks are the Woodbine Heights Royal Canadian Legion, the Church of the Resurrection (founded in 1912), and Gledhill Public School (built in 1917).
Not long ago, many middle-aged people and retirees lived here. But now, lots of young families are moving in. They are drawn to the idea of city living without needing a car and the charming, affordable Edwardian homes. Because of this, many single-story homes are being replaced with larger, multi-story family homes.
Important Places in Old East York
- East York Civic Centre
- East York Collegiate Institute
- Michael Garron Hospital
