Downsview: Conveniently located parkside living


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A diverse neighbourhood in the north end of Toronto, Downsview was originally a farm located near the present intersection of Keele Street and Wilson Avenue. Today Downsview includes the area north to about Finch and east to Allen Road, encompassing the Downsview Airport and adjacent Downsview Park. A vibrant community, Downsview contains a variety of schools, (both regular public as well as Catholic), churches and community services. The rejuvinated park is a huge draw and destination, a great natural oasis in the city.

Conveniently situated , Downsview affords good proximity to Highways 400, 401 and the Allen Road. There are subway stops at Wilson and Downsview, with bus lines on Wilson and Sheppard. The proposed expansion of the subway line northward will only improve this area’s accessibility.

Having Fun

The scenic Black Creek Parkland winds its way through Downsview, becoming Derrydowns Park just south of Finch. The park’s scenic trails are great for walking, running and biking. Grandravine Community Centre on Grandravine Drive has indoor skating, an outdoor pool, and offers a variety of programs for children and adults as well as a summer camp. The York Woods Library on Finch just west of Keele has a large computer learning centre as well as materials in Hindi, Spanish, Vietnamese, Urdu, Somali and Polish, for both children as well as adults.

Downsview Park at Sheppard and Keele is a 572-acre multipurpose recreational and commercial site and home to The Hangar, an indoor space for ball hockey, beach volleyball and soccer as well as the Canadian Air and Space Museum. The Hoopdome offers indoor basketball and indoor electric powered go-karting. The park also has acres of greenspace and is the site of a children’s summer camp. It features sports fields and great open space to play, picnic or just relax. Huge gatherings are occasionally held here, from the Pope’s visit in 2002, to music festivals like the SARS Stock in 2003 where the likes of the Rolling Stones and AC/DC performed. It’s also a popular film location and crews can often be seen here filming major motion pictures.

Shopping

There’s a gocery and a number of small strip plazas along Keele all the way south to Wilson, featuring pharmacies, banks, cleaners, hair/nail salons, small grocery stores and dollar type variety stores. At Downsview Plaza on Wilson just east of Keele you’ll find a wide range of businesses including restaurants and fast food. For incredible bargains in food, electronics, clothing, home furnishings, etc. check out the Downsview Park Merchants Market on Saturdays and Sundays.

Living in the Area

You’ll find many affordable, suitable apartments to choose from throughout the area with clusters at Keele and Wilson and Keele and Sheppard. Most of the apartments are highrise, but you can also find some low rise buildings and roomy town houses to suit your needs. Well-priced, there are many affordable options in the area.