Leaside

The Origins and Development of Leaside

This Toronto neighbourhood is named after the first family who arrived in the area. In 1819, the Lea family left Lancashire, England, and arrived in what is now known as Leaside. When John Lea Sr. passed away in 1854, his son William Lea built a octagonal home on the acreage, and he named it Leaside.

The Ontario and Quebec Railway purchased a few acres from William Lea for the line to Peterborough, and Ottawa. The junction that’s now used today for the Leaside residence, was originally built in 1894! The Ontario and Quebec Railway was later purchased by the Canadian Pacific, and this is when the Leaside neighbourhood became a name and location on the Toronto map. The Leaside Station was Toronto’s busiest station for the next 75 years.

In 1927, the Leaside Viaduct (a high level bridge) was built across the Don Valley. After the bridge, a underpass was built below the Canadian Pacific Railway. Finally the construction of residential houses took place from 1930’s and continued to the 1950’s.

In 1967, the Leaside area first joined with the East York community, and became the Borough of East York. In 1997, this entire area joined the City of Toronto, allowing Toronto become the megacity it is today. This is when the Leaside neighbourhood officially received its name, while being a Toronto district.

Today, the Leaside neighbourhood is one of the most popular districts in Toronto. The average Leaside house features:

• beautiful wood trim

• hardwood floors

• a warm fireplace

• a large lot

• private driveway

• a garage

There’s a nice variety of houses available in Leaside, these include: two-storey detached homes, bungalows, semi-detached houses, and new custom designed homes.

The Leaside neighbourhood is in high demand for upper middle income families, whose ideal neighbourhood would help with goals, such as: raise children, enjoy quiet streets, offer a variety of education opportunities, has large shopping districts, and easy access to public transit.

In the 1990’s, there was more construction in the Leaside neighbourhood. Many exclusive condominiums, and townhouse projects were built due to the high demand of people.

For local residence there’s three main shopping areas:

1. Bayview Avenue – this district features: many different shops and restaurants, antique shops, specialty stores, and local pubs that attract customers from all over Toronto.

2. Eglinton Avenue – this district features: small Toronto shops, and all your local services.
3. The Leaside Centre – this building features: a collection of large national retailers all in one convenient area.

Depending on your needs, you may be able to check out all the above shopping areas before you know it!

For education opportunities, the Leaside residence have plenty to choose from. In the area, you can choose from four local public schools, two secondary schools, and two colleges. No matter what your current level is, you can find education opportunities for children, teens, and adults.

The Leaside neighbourhood has plenty of parkland in area. If you enjoy the outdoors, you will be able to spend a full day, taking a stroll and enjoying nature at any of the following parks: Serena Gundy Park, David A. Balfour Park, Moore Park Ravine, Flemingdon Park, and that’s just to name a few of the local favorites. There’s over eight parks within five minutes of Leaside!

The Leaside residents often do their recreation, and physical activies at the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens, which is a multi-recreational complex that includes:

• an indoor ice arena

• an indoor swimming pool

• a curling rink

• an auditorium

You can also enjoy nature and fitness together, at one of the eight parks. In the area you can find: great picnic and hiking spots, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, exercise trails, an outdoor natural ice rink (only available during the winter), horseback riding (in the summer), and of course snack bars are available throughout certain parks to quench your thirst and hunger.

Public transit is available to ensure locals quick and easy access to anywhere in Toronto. The bus service winds through the heart of Leaside, and there’s two subway stations available for public use. It takes approximately 10 minutes to get to downtown Toronto.

Other Central Toronto Neighbourhoods: The Annex –Cabbagetown –Rosedale –Moore Park –North Toronto –Lawrence Park –Hoggs Hollow –Leaside –Summerhill – Regal Heights –Forest Hill –Chaplin Estates –Davisville Village –King West Village –Dovercourt Village