Image Credit: Flickr
From its early days under European settlement as predominantly farmlands and tiny towns, Scarborough has evolved over the years into a diverse and energetic district of Toronto - one of the largest in the GTA - with plenty of unique attributes to attract future residents and visitors.
While Scarborough continues to boom in growth and ongoing development, it’s important to take note of the thriving internal neighbourhoods in this area that contribute significantly to the overall fabric of the community as a whole. One such pocket is Scarborough Village. This suburban community was one of the first settlements in the former township of Scarborough and has bragging rights as being home to the first post office in the area. The neighbourhood is notable for playing host to many of Scarborough’s local landmarks, a diverse and engaged community and a diverse array of entertainment and dining options.
Scarborough, by the numbers
- Population: per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Scarborough had a population of 629,941
- Location: Scarborough is a district of Toronto, Ontario situated atop of the Scarborough Bluffs in the eastern part of the city. Its borders are: Victoria Park Avenue to the west, Steeles Avenue to the north, Rouge River and Pickering to the east, and Lake Ontario to the south.
- Size: 187.70 km2
Local landmarks and recreation in Scarborough Village
Image Credit: FLICKR
The most well-known local landmark is the Scarborough Bluffs. An escarpment formation that stretches approximately 14 kilometers and climbs to over 60 meters at its highest points and make part of the larger Iroquois Shoreline. This formation in particular is interesting for its history as a prehistoric lake.
The Rouge River Valley contains areas that are still predominantly wooded over, and this area plays host to plenty of wildlife that call the region home, such as deer, foxes, coyotes (though less common), with the river housing salmon and catfish.
Specific to Scarborough Village, there are several historical landmarks of significance including:
- The Washington Manse, circa 1875 (located at 14 Centre Street)
- The Fred S. Cornell House, circa 1850 (now located at Thompson Memorial Park)
There is an active recreation scene in Scarborough Village, owing heavily to its proximity to the Bluffs and all the waterfront leisure and recreation that comes with it. Just a few popular picks for those looking to stay active and engaged in the community include:
- The Scarborough Village Recreation Centre, which is home to the Scarborough Village Theatre
- Scarborough Village Park, located off Scarborough Golf Club Road
For the avid golfer, there are also several excellent golf courses to check out in the general area, including:
- Cedar Brae Golf and Country Club - (private)
- Dentonia Park Golf Course (public)
- Scarboro Golf and Country Club - (private)
Livability made easy in Scarborough Village
Education, transportation and local business opportunities and support are some of the key factors of consideration when exploring communities to invest in.
Schooling from quality institutions, accessibility and ease of connection for commuters, and ongoing support for your business goals are all made easy in Scarborough, where its vast network of resources is available for its residents.
Schooling
Image Credit: Wikipedia
All four of the Toronto-based public school boards operate institutions in Scarborough that provide elementary education, three of which are also responsible for the operations of secondary schools in the area: Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), and the Toronto District School Board.
There are two public post-secondary institutions located in Scarborough: the University of Toronto Scarborough, and Centennial College. Scarborough is also home to several private vocational schools, including the Oxford College of Arts, Business and Technology.
Please refer to this link for a comprehensive list of educational institutions located in Scarborough.
There are also plenty of local private school options Scarborough-wide, including Royal Crown School, a grades 7-12 co-ed, progressive day/boarding school.
Transportation
Transportation in any community is key to keeping people connected and mobile. In Scarborough Village, the area is served by Toronto Transit Commission via bus routes 86 Scarborough, 116 Morningside, 905 Eglinton East Express, and 986 Scarborough Express, which connect to Kennedy station, a station for the Toronto subway, amongst other routes.
The Eglinton GO Train Station provides train service to downtown Toronto’s Union Station for a 20-minute commute.
Motorists are approximately ten minutes from Highway 401’s on-ramp off Markham Road, and via Kingston Road, a mere 25-minute trek to downtown Toronto.
Business
When it comes to doing business in the area and surrounding district, the Scarborough Business Association is committed to providing news, resources, membership information, advocacy and support to their community.
Per their website:
"We are intensely focused on helping Scarborough business by driving prosperity, creating forums for networking, providing education and opportunity. We recognize Scarborough's strengths of location, skilled labour and diversity. Strong business benefits the entire community."
You can access contact information for the SBA here.
You can also find a comprehensive listing of local Scarborough businesses via this link.
The City of Toronto has also compiled a list of agencies, boards, commissions and departments of note in Scarborough, with their full listings and contact information available here.
Scarborough and its many thriving neighbourhoods have a lot to offer prospective homebuyers. From lush scenic landscapes to excellent schooling, endless recreational opportunities, business support and so much more, let us fill you in on why this community might just be the perfect fit for your family’s needs.
Curious to know more about the community of Scarborough?
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