Introduction
In a bustling city like Toronto, a bit of respite from the daily tumult can be hard to find. Not so in High Park North, a quiet community named after the crown jewel of a park located south of this attractive nabe. Its eastern boundary is Dundas West, its western boundary is Runneymede, and its north-south boundaries run from Bloor Street to Annette Street/Humberdale Avenue.
Lifestyle
On a sunny day, you’ll likely spy joggers pounding the pavement on route to High Park, while stroller-pushing moms wend their way down to Bloor to meet friends for a coffee-and-gab sesh. Retirees can often be spotted checking out the neighbours’ gardens (they are, after all, the competition). School-aged tots can be seen huffing it down to High Park for soccer practice.
The Vibe
It might not be the Muskokas, but High Park North is certainly one of Toronto’s greener quarters. The streets are lined with mature oaks and maples that, in midsummer, form leafy canopies overtop the rolling streets. Because of the neighbourhood’s rich and varied housing stock, people from many different walks of life call High Park North home.
Meet the Neighbours
When it comes to demographics, High Park North has a balanced mix of household makeups. According to the City of Toronto’s 2011 planning demographics, 66 per cent of the neighbouhood is of working age, 22 per cent is below 24 years of age, while seniors make up the difference at 12 per cent.
In the Area
The neighbourhood’s educational institutes include Humberside Collegiate Institute, Indian Road Crescent Junior School, Annette Public School, High Park Alternative Junior School, Keele Street Junior Public School, Western Technical-Commercial School, Ursula Franklin Academy and St. Cecilia School. Budding academics will enjoy hanging out at the Runnymede Branch of the Toronto Public Library. Alternatively, the Keele Community Centre offers a variety of afterschool programming that runs the gamut from art to sports.
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Three Bloor Line subway stops fall within the boundaries of High Park North: Runnymede, Keele and Dundas West. Dundas West is serviced by two streetcars (504 and 505) and two buses: the 168 Symington and the 40, which services the Junction. Three buses depart from Keele Station: the 41 (to Steeles via York University), the 80A (to Sherway Gardens) and the 89 (to Albion Road).
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
Some people have a serious hate on for the high-rise condos built on Gothic, High Park, and Quebec Avenues. They might not be pretty, but the high-rises offer entry-level options to buyers that cannot afford a detached Edwardian. Come spring, it’s lovely to be walking distance from High Park’s coveted cherry blossoms, but the neighbourhood gets rammed with traffic during this time.
Dollars & Sense
This hood offers something for every budget. You can opt for the $4.50 mocha latte from The Good Neighbour, or get a $2 cup of Joe from Sunset Grill. The chicken breasts at No Frills might be the wallet-friendly choice, but up on Annette, Butcher By Nature sells Ancaster-raised organic chicken breasts. They’re a bit more expensive, but definitely worth the splurge.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
Butcher by Nature
The little family-run butcher shop offers choice cuts of organic meat as well as sustainably caught fish. The shelves are lined with foodie goodies like syrupy balsamic vinegar and crusty baguettes.
more infoThe Good Neighbour
Seats are hard to come by at this wee coffee shop. In winter cozy up to the fireplace. Come sun and summer, enjoy an affogato (ice cream drowned in espresso) on the patio.
more infoKing Slice
People bemoan the importance of a pizza’s crust, but seldom do they pay attention to the sauce. King Slice's fenugreek seed–studded sauce is great slathered on a pizza or tucked into a calzone.
more infoRunnymede Library
What do Queen Elizabeth II and this library have in common? Their likenesses can both be found on Canada Post stamps! The library was designed by John M. Lyle, the same man behind Union Station.
more infoHula Girl Espresso
Just north of Dundas West Station, there’s a wee retail strip anchored by Hula Girl Espresso, a teeny coffee shop brewing Hawaii-grown coffee. Also on offer, house-baked goodies as well as chocolate bars from ChocoSol.
more infoSparrow
The plates that come out of this kitchen are pretty enough to grace the pages of an Alice Waters cookbook. The menu changes often, as the chef likes to work with in-season ingredients.
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