New Toronto, home to some of the best parks in South Etobicoke.
It’s the city’s first outdoor skating trail, houses with a view of Lake Ontario, easy access to downtown Toronto and the Waterfront Trail, a grilled cheese festival, an Aussie-inspired cafe, and a blossoming main street.
Awesome parks, with a lake view. New Toronto is home to arguably the best parks in South Etobicoke, with almost all of them located right on the shores of Lake Ontario and a clear view of the Toronto skyline. Since the parks are located only a few streets apart from each other, you can easily spend an afternoon hopping between the playgrounds, splash pads, and outdoor swimming pool. The largest park, Colonel Samuel Smith Park, has so much to explore you could spend the whole day there. Bring your pup to enjoy the big off-leash dog park there too.
History:
New Toronto’s history dates back to the 1890s when it was planned as a working town. This plan became a reality in 1906 when the Grand Trunk Railway opened repair shops, a roundhouse, and a freight yard in New Toronto. The railway attracted industry to New Toronto. The area’s largest employer was the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company which established a plant here in 1917.
New Toronto’s rapid growth led to its incorporation as a Town in 1920. Frank Longstaff, in Villages of Etobicoke, recalls that during this period of prosperity, New Toronto touted itself as having the “highest value of manufacturing per square mile in North America.” Thanks to this strong industrial base New Toronto was able to maintain one of the lowest residential tax rates in the Toronto area throughout much of its history.
In 1967, New Toronto was amalgamated with the former Township of Etobicoke, however, it never lost its sense of identity as a working-class town. Now, in the 1990s, the local industry is gradually being replaced with new home developments that are attracting more professional people to this neighborhood.
Overview:
New Toronto is located along Toronto’s western beaches. It is a neighborhood in transition as the industrial corridor located at the north end of the neighborhood has recently been converted to residential zoning. The industry is gradually moving out of New Toronto and plans are underway for new home developments in this part of the neighborhood.
At present New, Toronto is home to residents from a wide mix of cultures and incomes and includes a large seniors population. Some of the selling features of this neighborhood are the bicycle trail, convenient TTC and Go Transit service, affordable homes, and quick access to downtown Toronto via Lake Shore Boulevard.
Homes:
House styles in New Toronto range from large lakeside estates, to two-story detached homes on 25-50 foot wide lots, to modest two-bedroom bungalows built in the early 1900s.
As most of the New Toronto houses are approaching 100 years old, quite a number of homes have gone through complete renovations, although many of them have maintained the historic character of the home.
Homes on larger lots are starting to be torn down, and completely re-built. Bungalows with basement apartments are common with homeowners looking to pay off their mortgage quicker thanks to Humber College students looking for places to stay. There are a handful of mid-century low rise apartment buildings located in the south end of New Toronto. As of right now, new condo developments have not made their way to New Toronto yet, but it’s likely only a matter of time.
New Toronto’s small frame and brick bungalows and modest two storey houses were built largely between the 1910’s and the 1950’s. Larger single family homes are located closer to the lake, south of Lake Shore Boulevard.
You will find lots of houses built in the 1920s-1950s in New Toronto, and many of the owners have maintained or restored the original charm of the property. Dreamy millwork, original glass door knobs, and stained glass windows! Some New Toronto residents are lucky enough to back directly onto Lake Ontario and have direct access to the water from their backyard.
A fairly recent addition to this neighbourhood is the Lakeshore Village subsidized housing development situated between tenth and thirteenth Avenues north of Lakeshore Blvd. This housing complex features an artists co-op, which accounts for its funky appearance.
New home buyers will want to keep an eye on the area north of Birmingham Road, between Islington and Kipling Avenues, for upcoming new home developments.
Lifestyle:
New Toronto offers easy access to Lake Ontario, the Gardiner Expressway, and Lake Shore Blvd. Lots of shopping and restaurant options are available on Lake Shore Blvd and Royal York Rd. Sherway Gardens and The Queensway are also nearby for big box shopping options.
New Toronto residents can enjoy the growing number of independent shops and restaurants that are popping up along Lake Shore Blvd, like cozy coffee shops and international-inspired restaurants. They are also a short drive to casual and luxury shopping at Sherway Gardens, as well as big-box shopping options along The Queensway.
Every June, New Toronto hosts the Grilled Cheese Challenge where local restaurants and businesses enter their custom grilled cheese creation into the competition and festival attendees get to vote for their favorite after taste-testing them all. During the August long weekend, the Lakeshore Grounds at Colonel Samuel Smith Park are taken over by live music, food trucks, and a carnival. Music lovers should check out Village Vinyl on Lakeshore for live music and a great vinyl collection.
Shops and Restaurant:
The “Lakeshore Village” shopping district, located along Lakeshore Boulevard West, is a busy retail corridor that features fast food and family-style restaurants, and a wide mix of stores including food markets, bakeries, delis, coffee shops, bargain stores, drug stores, and convenience stores.
The Lakeshore Village shopping district is often lined with television and movie production crews that film on-site in New Toronto. Many of the Police Academy movies were filmed here.
- Huevos Gourmet, You will know you are in the right spot when you see the line of couples and families stretching out the front door waiting for a table. Cozy and always busy, Huevos Gourmet offers all-day brunch with a Mexican meets French flare, with fresh-squeezed juices and fun cocktails. Snag the window seat for a side of people watching with your meal.
- The Sydney Grind, We love The Sydney Grind for their great coffee and delicious Australian inspired treats – fairy bread, lamingtons, and Anzac cookies. We think you will love the relaxed vibes here and the owner Rima is really lovely too! Also, check out The Big Guy’s Little Coffee Shop and Black Goat Cafe for yummy in house-made sandwiches, salads, and baked goods. If coffee and cigar is your combo of choice, check out Havana Castle’s huge cigar collection. For those craving something really decadent, Sweet Olenka’s is the spot for ice cream and chocolate treats. Karly loves their salted caramel truffles!
- Cellar Door, Enjoy popular dishes from around the world without leaving your own neighborhood. Cellar Door offers wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta dishes inspired by southern Italy. For British staples check out Kitchen on Sixth which is a popular spot for all-day brunch with a British spin, or New Toronto Fish and Chips, a neighborhood staple serving golden battered seafood favorites the same way since 1973. Eat like a New Toronto native at Albatros Pub or Fine Bakery & Deli, great spots for Eastern European classics. Swing by Michael’s West Indian Flavour, and then finish the night at Wild Pigeon with their New Toronto Caesar while enjoying their Let’s Get Weird comedy night.
- Vive Fitness, After a long holiday, Get your sweat on at one of the many great fitness clubs in the neighborhood.
Recreation:
Grab the kids or a good book, and pick a park or two to spend the day in. New Toronto has some great options, for Kids (or kids at heart) that will love the bike trails, splash pads, outdoor swimming pool, skating rink, and playgrounds. Cliff Lumsdon Park is a great spot for a picnic with the CN Tower and Toronto skyline in the background. There is also a 10,000+ sqft skateboard park at Eighth St and Birmingham.
New Toronto is blessed with a bevy of waterfront parks, including Colonel Samuel Smith Park. This park includes the first Wetlands-Wildlife Restoration trail on the Great Lakes. This wetland habitat is home to a large variety of fish and birds, as well as frogs, garter snakes, painted turtles, and a vast array of wildflowers. The new skating rink at Colonel Samuel Smith Park is Toronto’s first artificial ice rink that is a trail rather than the traditional oval hockey rink style. Figure 8 design of this skating rink winds through the park’s lush landscape. This skating trail is lit by overhead lamp posts for night skating. These lamp posts are fitted with speakers that play Christmas carols during the holidays.
The Lakeshore Yacht Club is also based in this park. New Toronto’s smaller waterfront parks, east of Colonel Samuel Smith Park, include Cliff Lumsden Park, Prince of Wales Park, and Rotary Peace Park. Cliff Lumsden and Prince of Wales Parks offer magnificent views of the Toronto waterfront. The Prince of Wales Park also features an artificial ice rink, a wading pool and a children’s playground. Rotary Peace Park features a new outdoor swimming pool, a large baseball diamond, two tennis courts, and a children’s playground. Adjacent to this park, overlooking Lake Ontario, is the New Toronto Lawn Bowling Club.
The New Toronto Seniors Centre located at number 105, 4th Street, hosts the Etobicoke Seniors Games every year from March to June. This fifty-five plus seniors centre offers a variety of programs including ceramics, computers, euchre and Slo-Pitch baseball. The New Toronto Public Library is located on Eleventh Street, south of Lake Shore Boulevard.
Transportation:
Usually residents outside of Toronto benefit most from commuting by GO Train, but South Etobicoke residents have a unique advantage of utilizing this speedy and cost effective transit method to travel within their own city.
The Lakeshore GO Train line runs through South Etobicoke, with stops in Long Branch and Mimico. New Toronto residents benefit from easy access to both GO Train stations, and then a very short GO Train ride into downtown Toronto. Jump on the GO Train at Mimico station and you will be at Union Station in less than 15 minutes. Access to Highway 427 and the Gardiner Expressway make commuting easier. The streetcar running along Lake Shore into downtown is also a scenic commuting option.
Bus service along Lake Shore Boulevard West provides connecting routes to the Mimico and Long Branch Go Transit service and to downtown Toronto’s Union Station which is part of the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line.
Motorists are only a fifteen-minute drive along Lake Shore Boulevard or the Gardiner Expressway to downtown Toronto’s Harbourfront district.
Schools, Colleges and Universities:
PUBLIC SCHOOL
Lakeshore Collegiate Institute
Address: 350 Kipling Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8V 3L1, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-7650 | Fax: (416) 394-3847 | Email: Lakeshore@tdsb.on.ca
“Lakeshore Collegiate Institute (LCI) provides opportunities for you to enrich your personal and academic achievement by providing a demanding curriculum that incorporates academics with the arts, technology, co-op and athletics. LCI is a dynamic school with a wide offering of programs for every student. Starting in grade 9, all students are welcomed to secondary school with an orientation program in August lead by our Leadership Students. Unique to LCI, in addition to our broad academic curriculum, is an extensive technology program including courses in culinary arts, cosmetology, transportation, construction, WoodLINKS (fine furniture), CyberARTS, graphic design, photography and video production.” As originally published by Lakeshore Collegiate Institute
John English Junior Middle School
Address: 95 Mimico Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8V 1R4, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-7660 | Fax: (416) 394-3808 | Email: JohnEnglish@tdsb.on.ca
“John English School is located on Mimico Avenue, east of Royal York Road. The original school, a one-room brick building, opened in 1884 and moved, after a series of renovations and rebuilding, into the former Mimico High School building in 1993. The auditorium, cafeteria, gymnasium, and other specialized areas are shared with the Community School. John English serves over 825 students representing many language groups. John English offers programs in English (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8), French Immersion (Senior Kindergarten-Grade 8) and Extended French (Grade 4 to 8).“ As originally published by John English Junior Middle School
Address: 330 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto, ON M6H 3Y1, Canada | Telephone: 416 532-6592
“L’école secondaire Toronto Ouest continue de bâtir un milieu d’apprentissage franchement exemplaire. Ce milieu diversifié, inclusif et sécuritaire offre à ses élèves des programmes d’excellence en sciences, mathématiques, langues, études sociales et arts. De nombreux clubs et activités socioculturelles et sportives viennent agrémenter le quotidien de nos élèves, leur permettant de joindre l’utile à l’agréable. Fondés sur des valeurs d’excellence, d’engagement et de dépassement de soi, l’enseignement et l’encadrement offerts à nos élèves leur permettent « de voir un avenir à la hauteur de leur vision où les choix de carrières sont guidés par leurs passions et qui offre la possibilité et les ressources nécessaires à leur réalisation ».” As originally published by ÉS Toronto Ouest
Address: 85 Forty First St, Etobicoke, ON M8W 3P1, Canada | Telephone: 647 265-8544
Twentieth Street Junior School
Address: 3190 Lake Shore Blvd W, Etobicoke, ON M8V 1L8, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-78100 | Fax: (416) 394-6412 | Email: Twentieth@tdsb.on.ca
“Overlooking Lake Ontario, Twentieth Street Junior School is located on the corner of Lake Shore Boulevard West and Twentieth Street in the west end of the City of Toronto. Twentieth Street Junior School has served the Lakeshore Community since 1920. In September 1994 a new building opened to replace the original structure. Our community has a rich history, with many families dating back for several generations. Twentieth Street Junior School is close to many community recreation facilities including the Master Card Centre Arena for Hockey Excellence and Gus Ryder Pool. Our school is fully accessible.” As originally published by Twentieth Street Junior School
James S. Bell Junior Middle Sports and Wellness Academy
Address: 90 Thirty First St, Etobicoke, ON M8W 3E9, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-7680 | Fax: (416) 394-7958 | Email: JamesSBell@tdsb.on.ca
“James S. Bell Junior Middle Sports and Wellness Academy is located in Long Branch in West Toronto. Promoting the development of healthy and active lifestyles for students is the focus of this unique program. This whole-school approach supports students in developing an appreciation for athletics, health, physical activity and lifelong wellness. The students at JSB participate in daily physical activity, learn about the connection between good nutrition, physical activity and being better learners, enjoy lots of opportunities to participate in a variety of intramural and interschool programs. Students are part of a culture that balances academic excellence with personal leadership, character development and innovation.” As originally published by James S. Bell Junior Middle Sports and Wellness Academy
Second Street Junior Middle School
Address: 71 Second St, Etobicoke, ON M8V 2X4, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-7640 | Fax: (416) 394-6139 | Email: Second.JMS@tdsb.on.ca
Second Street Junior Middle School is located in the southwest corner of the Toronto District School Board, near Islington and Lake Shore Blvd. The original school was built in 1949, and a large two storey wheelchair accessible addition was built in 1996. Our staff, numbering near 40 (Teachers, Educational Assistants and Special Needs Assistants), all work together to support our students. Second Street JMS has a daily Healthy Kids morning meal program Program and we are also home to YMCA Daycares with programs for kindergarten and school-age students for before-and-after school care.” As originally published by Second Street Junior Middle School
Address: 101 Seventh St, Etobicoke, ON M8V 3B5, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-7820 | Fax: (416) 394-6301 | Email: Seventh@tdsb.on.ca
“Seventh Street School is located in the former community of New Toronto. The original school opened in 1922. In 1989, a new school was built on the school yard and the old building was then demolished. The school has approximately 200 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5. We have a diverse community comprised of students from 16 different countries and speaking 19 different languages. Seventh Street enjoys an excellent partnership with The Lakeshore Community Childcare Centre (LCCC), which offers an excellent before and after school program as well as daycare services for children 18 months and older.” As originally published by Seventh Street Junior School
CATHOLIC AND PRIVATE
Father Redmond Catholic SS and Regional Arts Centre
Address: 28 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr, Etobicoke, ON M8V 4B6, Canada | Telephone: 416-393-5540 | Fax: 416-393-5761
“Father Redmond Catholic Secondary School and Regional Arts Centre offers a varied co-curricular program. We participate in most athletic activities sponsored by the TDCAA. Each year we put on a musical, dramatic performance, singing and dancing performance and other shows put on by our RAP students. The school participates in Sears Drama Festival every year. Some of the other activities include debating, public speaking, yearbook, school newspaper and language clubs. Father John Redmond is also one of three Congregated Advanced Placement Centres in the TCDSB. At Father Redmond Catholic Secondary School, we firmly believe that our mandate is best fulfilled by a strong curricular and co-curricular program rooted in a clear Catholic education philosophy which has as its goal the spiritual, intellectual and social development of the entire person while recognizing the unique needs of each individual.” As originally published by Father Redmond Catholic SS and Regional Arts Centre
The Holy Trinity Catholic School
Address: 6 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr, Etobicoke, ON M8V 4B6, Canada | Telephone: 416-393-5417 | Fax: 416-397-6083
“The Holy Trinity Catholic School is a new school. Greet praise with a humble smile, criticism with an open ear, and negativity with the most POSITIVE attitude!” As originally published by The Holy Trinity Catholic School
ÉÉC Sainte-Marguerite-d’Youville
Address: 755 Royal York Rd, Etobicoke, ON M8Y 2T3, Canada
“L’ÉÉC Sainte-Marguerite-d’Youville offre un environnement d’apprentissage stimulant par le biais d’une équipe dynamique et engagée. Située au coeur d’un joli quartier résidentiel, elle accueille 565 élèves, 24 classes en tout de la maternelle à la 6e année, en plus de 2 classes au tout nouveau pavillon Richview qui a ouvert ses portes en septembre 2013.” As originally published by ÉÉC Sainte-Marguerite-d’Youville
Address: 330 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto, ON M6H 3Y1, Canada
“L’école secondaire Saint-Frère-André est une école accueillant les élèves de la 7e à la 12e année. Notre but premier en tant qu’établissement d’éducation est avant tout l’apprentissage et le développement de votre enfant dans un milieu francophone catholique stimulant. En vue d’offrir un enseignement de qualité et un choix intéressant d’options à nos élèves, nous offrons toute une panoplie d’activités parascolaires, ainsi que des programmes d’enseignement. «Offrir à l’élève une éducation de qualité dans un milieu de vie catholique et francophone où le respect de la personne, le sens d’appartenance à la collectivité franco-ontarienne, la promotion de l’excellence et enfin l’équité sont des valeurs visibles et essentielles à son épanouissement ». C’est non seulement la mission du conseil scolaire mais aussi celle des enseignants.” As originally published by ÉSC Saint-Frère-André
Address: 55 Pelham Ave, Toronto, ON M6N 1A5, Canada | Telephone: 416-393-5291 | Fax: 416-397-6296
“By providing excellent opportunities for spiritual, physical, emotional, and academic growth, children have the tools to become independent and empowered individuals of the future. This school provides a safe, inclusive and healthy environment for learning that is faith based. Thus, student success is measured by improved achievement in all areas of the curriculum as well as the child in his/her entirety.” As originally published by St. Josaphat Catholic School
Address: 165 Stanley Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8V 1P1, Canada | Telephone: 416-393-5333 | Fax: 416-393-5071
“Students come to us with a variety of strengths and needs, but they all have one thing in common: they are members of a Catholic community. Our prayer life, our liturgical celebrations, the Sacraments, and our faith and value system form the foundation of our program.” As originally published by St. Leo Catholic School
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