“Houses can form a neighborhood but only people can make it a community."
|
Community is an essential part of family, of lifestyle, and of real estate.
Understanding local conditions in Markham is important when it comes to buying and selling real estate, but the neighborhood you choose can have a dramatic impact on all other aspects of your life as well. Please feel free to browse through the complimentary Markham information I’ve provided. When it’s time to move, call me to get a representative on your side who has experience, Markham market knowledge, and the confidence to help you make the best transaction possible. Enjoy! Raj |
Richmond Hill Neighbourhood
|
|
View Larger Map
OVERVIEW Richmond Hill is one of the most multicultural communities in the Greater Toronto Area. The Yonge Street corridor, especially the Old Richmond Hill area north of Major Mackenzie, is home to a large number of people of British background. The Bathurst Street area is favoured by Italian, Jewish, and Eastern European families, while Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street are home to one of the largest and most affluent Chinese communities in the Greater Toronto Area. Richmond Hill is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area which is not surprising considering its close proximity to Toronto, and the fact that it is home to major employers including: Compaq Canada., Epson Canada, Levi Strauss, Lexmark Canada, and Suzuki Canada. The north-end of Richmond Hill is part of the environmentally significant Oak Ridges Moraine which is referred to as the “rain barrel of Ontario”. Ancient kettle lakes formed by the Moraine are significant landmarks in this part of the town. The largest of these is Lake Wilcox located at Bayview Avenue south of Bloomington Road. A public
HISTORY Richmond Hill began to take shape in 1801, when Abner Miles settled a parcel of land fronting on Yonge Street at Major Mackenzie Drive. Richmond Hill’s strategic location between the City of Toronto and Lake Simcoe made it a popular stopover in the 1820s, when a stage coach line began operating on Yonge Street. To accommodate this increased traffic; Miles, operated an Inn that was popular with weary travellers along the busy Yonge Street corridor. Miles also operated a general store and an ashery. His son James, would later donate land for the first church, and school in Richmond Hill. In the 1830s, a post office was added, and the name of the community was changed from Miles Hill (and later Mount Pleasant), to Richmond Hill. The origin of the name Richmond Hill may have stemmed from a visit by Charles Gordon Lennox, Fourth Duke of Richmond, and a Governor General of Canada. Still others believe the village name may have originated with the local school teacher Benjamin Barnard who taught his pupils to sing ‘The Lass of Richmond Hill’, recalled from his childhood days in Richmond, Surrey, England. In 1873, Richmond Hill was officially incorporated as a village. Richmond Hill rose to national prominence in 1912, when it was recognized as the “Rose Growing Capital of Canada”. During this period some four million roses were grown here annually. Post World War II growth resulted in new housing developments in Richmond Hill, and a dramatic growth in the population. This led to the incorporation of the Town of Richmond Hill in 1957.
RECREATION Richmond Hill has over 100 parks and natural areas, 5 golf courses, and 18 recreational facilities. Richmond Hill is well known for its outstanding figure skating and hockey programs. Many of these programs take place at the Elvis Stojko Arena. This arena is named after world champion mens figure skater Elvis Stojko, who grew up in Richmond Hill. Sunset Beach Park on Lake Wilcox at Bayview Avenue and Bloomington Road is a popular waterfront recreational spot. This municipal beach is the home of the Richmond Hill Canoe Club. Phyllis Rawlinson Park at Leslie Street and 19th Avenue is an 89.5 acre conservation area willed to the Town of Richmond Hill by Phyllis Rawlinson, who served in the Womens Royal Naval Service during World War 11. Rawlinson also gained distinction as a champion equestrian and one of Canada’s first women polo players.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Arts Richmond Hill’ is a non-profit organization supporting Arts and Culture in Richmond Hill. The Festival of Lights, Music Festival and Heritage Village Day are some of the annual events sponsored by this organization. The Richmond Hill Group of Artists is based at the Mill Pond Art Gallery located at 314 Mill Street. Adult and children’s art classes are offered here. The Richmond Hill Garden & Horticultural Society holds an annual Autumn Flower Show at the McConaghy Seniors’ Centre. This show is always well attended. The Richmond Hill Historical Society invites you to visit the Historical Burr House, located at 528 Carrville Road. This heritage home was built by Rowland Burr in 1820. While you are there you may want to tour their craft gallery for one-of-a-kind gifts. Richmond Hill has three public libraries: The Central Library located at 1 Atkinson Street, Oak Ridges Moraine Library at 13085 Yonge Street, Unit 12, and Richvale Library located at 40 Pearson Avenue. The Central Library located on the southwest corner of Major Mackenzie Drive and Yonge Street, is a 60,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility, with a collection of more than 175,000 books, videos, and CD’s. For entertainment: be sure to visit the Lois Hancey Aquatic Centre located right next door to the Central Library. This aquatic centre is unique within the Greater Toronto Area. It includes a wave pool, 160 foot water slide, swirl pool with water jets and sprinklers, rain cloud with thunder and lightning, and an on-deck sauna. Astrology enthusiasts will want to visit the David Dunlap Observatory located at 123 Hillsview Drive. The University of Toronto operates this observatory for research in astronomy and astrophysics. The public is welcome to tour the facilities and have a look through the telescope on Tuesday mornings and Saturday evenings.
SCHOOLS York Region District School Board, (416) 969-8131 Bayview Hill E.S.
http://www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/page.cfm?id=S99999999&sc=329 Bayview Hill Elementry School (Richmond Hill, Ontario)
http://wikimapia.org/9459075/Bayview-Hill-Elementry-School Bayview Secondary School
http://www.bayview.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/default.htm York Region District School Board
http://york.cioc.ca/record/HMT1130 www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca Richmond Hill’s newest shopping destination is the Bayview Glen Power Centre, located at Yonge Street and Highway 7. This shopping destination features ‘big box’ retailers including: Home Depot, Sears Furniture, Indigo Books, restaurants and movie theatres. TRANSPORTATION Richmond Hill is well served by York Region Transit which operates extensive bus service throughout this town. Go bus lines operate along Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue, connecting passengers to the Finch Subway Station on the Toronto Transit system. Local Go train service is available from the Newkirk Road station just north of Major Mackenzie between Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue. The Go train ride from this station to Toronto’s Union station takes approximately 40 minutes. Richmond Hill motorists can easily access north-south corridors including Yonge Street, Bathurst Street, and Bayview Avenue. For commuters looking for a quicker route into Toronto try Highway 404, which can be accessed from the east-end of town.
SHOPPING Yonge Street serves as the main shopping corridor in Richmond Hill. Downtown Richmond Hill, situated on Yonge Street, north of Major Mackenzie, has the look and feel of an old fashioned main street. Here you will find a plethora of shops, restaurants and professional services. Further north on Yonge Street at Carrville Road is Hillcrest Mall. This regional shopping centre has recently undergone extensive renovations. Hillcrest Mall is anchored by: The Bay, and Zellers. In addition there are over 130 stores inside this shopping mall. Further north on Yonge Street in Oak Ridges, are a string of shopping plazas which serve the everyday needs of local residents.
|
|
|
View Larger Map
OVERVIEW The Town of Markham which recently passed the 200,000 population mark, is the largest municipality in York Region. Markham is known as one of the most multicultural communities in the Greater Toronto Area. Markham Centre situated on the northwest corner of Warden and Highway 7, is the head of government for Markham Township which has four main population centres including: Markham Village, Thornhill Village, Unionville Village and Milliken Mills. Markham proudly proclaims itself to be the “High-Tech Capital of Canada”. Apple, At&T, I.B.M., Lucent Tech and Toshiba, are just some of the multinational companies that have corporate offices here. The highly regarded Markham-Stouffville Hospital is one of the pillars of this community.
HISTORY In 1791, John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, named this Township, Markham, after his good friend William Markham, the Archbishop of York. Markham’s first settler was William Berczy, a German artist and developer. In 1794, Berczy negotiated with Simcoe to acquire 64,000 acres in Markham Township, which became known as the German Company Lands. Berczy would lead a group of 64 Pennsylvania German families to Markham. These first settlers were soon joined by other groups including: French Revolutionary Emigres, United Empire Loyalists, and people from the British Isles. The industriousness of these pioneers was self evident in the many homesteads, working farms, and mill sites, that defined Markham’s early growth. Industry, such as wagon works, furniture makers, and tanneries flourished in the mid to late 1800s. The railway arrived in Markham in 1871, signalling a new period of prosperity that led to the incorporation of the Village of Markham in 1873. Markham would remain a primarily rural settlement, until the 1950s and 60s when new home subdivsions began sprouting up in the countryside. In 1970, Markham graduated to its current Town status. The opening of Highway 404, in the mid 1970s, paved the way for the rapid urbanization that continues to unfold in Markham to this day. SHOPPING Markham is bursting at the seams with a myriad of shopping options. If you enjoy quaint old-fashioned main street villages head to Unionville or Markham Village. There you will find antique shops and galleries, clothing stores, gift shops and restaurants. Unionville boasts an excellent collection of well preserved heritage building storefronts, and a picturesque streetscape that attracts tourists from all over Toronto. Markham Village hosts a popular farmers market every Saturday from May through September. If you prefer shopping centres, the Markville Shopping Centre located at Highway 7 and McCowan Road, is anchored by The Bay, Sears and Wal-Mart, and features over 200 shops and services. The Promenade shopping centre on Bathurst Street, north of Centre Street is anchored by Sears, and Old Navy and includes over 175 shops and restaurants, plus movie theatres. “Big Box” mega retailers, are clustered along the Highway 7 corridor from Woodbine Avenue over to Kennedy Road. For something different check out the Pacific Mall located on the northeast corner of Steeles Avenue and Kennedy Road. This massive 23,000 square foot indoor Chinese shopping mall is known for its many fine restaurants and herbal medicine stores.
RECREATION
Markham has three major community centres: Thornhill C.C, Centennial C.C., and Milliken Mills C.C., as well as 14 additional multi-use centres that together offer: skating rinks, tennis courts, sports fields, a soccer dome, and ski runs. Markham also has numerous public and private golf courses including the award winning Angus Glen Golf Club, at 10080 Kennedy Road, which hosted the 2002 Bell Canadian Open. Nature enthusiasts will want to visit Toogood Park located in the heart of Unionville, off Carlton Road. This picturesque park has been built around Toogood Pond, which features a fishway and observation platform. Weather permitting there is skating on Toogood pond in January and February. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Markham Theatre For Performing Arts located at 171 Town Centre Boulevard, in the Highway 7 and Warden Avenue area, offers award winning professional entertainment as well as community, cultural, and social events.The Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery located on Main Street in Unionville, offers numerous exhibits featuring Canadian artists. This gallery hosts numerous workshops and studio courses. History buffs will love the Markham Museum which organizes a variety of year-round family events. This museum is located off Markham Road, north of Highway 7. Milliken Mills, Thornhill and Unionville all have a community library. For pure fun and entertainment you can’t beat the Markham Fair, held each fall at the Markham Fairgrounds located at McCowan Road and Elgin Mills Road. This fair features a midway, concerts, and livestock exhibits.
SCHOOLS
York Region District School Board, (416) 969-8131, www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca
TRANSPORTATION
Markham Transit operates bus routes that provide commuters with direct access to Toronto and Go Transit lines. There are also Go Train stations in Markham Village, Unionville and Milliken. The train ride from Markham to downtown Toronto’s Union Station takes approximately 20 minutes. Markham is conveniently situated right at the northeast border of Toronto, along Steeles Avenue. Motorists commuting from Markham to anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area enjoy quick and easy access to the new toll Highway 407, and to Highway 404 which provides direct links to Toronto’s 400 series highways.
|
North York-Finch & Yonge Neighbourhood
|
|
View Larger Map
North York/Willowdale North York Willodale is a vibrant and cosmopolitan urban centre filled with luxury condominiums, custom built homes, shining office towers, a newly renovated shopping mall and theatre complex, an ultra modern civic centre, a world-class aquatic centre and a highly acclaimed centre for the performing arts. North York is also the home of the newly rebuilt Earl Haig Secondary School which has an outstanding academic reputation. Earl Haig is also highly regarded for its Claude Watson Arts program where students can major in either dance, drama, music or visual arts.
HISTORY
North York was originally settled by Jacob Cummer, who immigrated to Canada from the United States in 1797. Cummer was a mill owner on the nearby Don River, a proprietor of a tinsmith shop on Yonge Street and a self trained doctor and veterinarian. Cummer was held in such high esteem by his neighbours that this area was originally known as Kummer's Settlement. David Gibson, a distinguished land surveyor, was another leader in this community. Like most of his neighbours, Gibson participated in the ill-fated Toronto Rebellion of 1837. He was thus charged with high treason and escaped to the United States were he found employment as the First Assistant Engineer on the building of the Erie Canal. Gibson returned to his Yonge Street farm in 1851, after being pardoned for his role in the Rebellion. He then helped to establish the "Willow Dale" post office, named after the many willow trees that once graced this district. Members of the Gibson family were still living in Gibson House in the 1920's when the residential subdivision of North York began to take place. Editors Note: The Gibson House, circa 1851, is still standing in its original location at 5172 Yonge Street and is now a historic museum.
RECREATION The North York Civic Centre located on Beecroft Road, one block west of Yonge Street, is a multi-faceted facility that includes the Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre and the North York Central Library. Adjacent to the civic centre is Mel Lastman Square, a popular public promenade that is equipped with a spacious amphitheatre, intimate wedding pavilions, a garden court, and a reflecting pool which doubles as a skating rink in the wintertime. Next to Mel Lastman Square is the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts which includes the Art Gallery of North York, the George Weston Recital Hall, and the Studio Theatre. The North York Lawn Bowling Club is located across the street from the civic centre at 150 Beecroft Road. The newly built Mitchell Field Community Centre located at 89 Church Avenue includes an ice arena, an indoor pool, a gymnasium and community meeting rooms. Tennis courts and baseball diamonds can be found at Bayview Village Park off Bayview Avenue and Edithvale Park on Edithvale Drive. North York Park, located off Hollywood Avenue also has tennis courts. In addition, the North York neighbourhood contains many children's parks, equipped with playgrounds, that are conveniently situated throughout the neighbourhood.
SHOPPING The Yonge Street shopping district which runs through the centre of this neighbourhood is a curious mix of small retailers, big box stores, one-of-a-kind specialty stores, fast food restaurants, small shopping plazas and a large shopping centre. This vibrant shopping mecca also features an international selection of restaurants including French, Italian, Greek, Chinese, Japanese and Middle Eastern foods. If you prefer making dinner at home there are numerous food markets along this street. The Bayview Village Shopping Centre, located at the north-east corner of Bayview and Sheppard Avenues, is known for its excellent selection of clothing stores and restaurants. North York Avenue provides residents in the east part of this neighbourhood with additional convenience-type shopping and also contains a number of specialty service stores and professional offices.
Schools (P) Churchill, 188 Churchill Ave., (416) 395-2200 (P) Finch, 277 Finch Ave, E., (416) 395-2410 (P) Hollywood, 360 Hollywood Ave., (416) 395-2560 (P) McKee, 44 McKee Ave., (416) 395-2680 (P) Yorkview, 130 Yorkview Dr., (416) 395-2980 (P) North York M.S., 225 Senlac Rd., (416) 395-2970 (PH) Earl Haig S.S., 100 Princess Ave., (416) 395-3210 (CA) St. Cyril, 18 Kempford Blvd., (416) 393-5270 (CA) St. Edward, 21 Eddfield, (416) 393-5255 (CA) St. Gabriel, 396 Spring Garden Ave., (416) 393-5256 (PJ) United Synagogue Day School, 3080 Bayview Ave., (416) 225-1143 Legend:
(P) Public School
(PH) Public High School
(CA) Catholic School
(PR) Private School
(PC) Private Catholic School
(PJ) Private Jewish School
(C) College
(U) University
TRANSPORTATION Bus service along Sheppard, Finch and Bayview Avenues connects passengers to stations on the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line. The Bathurst Street bus links up with the Bathurst station on the Bloor-Danforth subway line. A York Region GO Transit bus terminal is located at the Finch subway station for those commuters heading north of the city. Yonge Street runs right through the centre of North York providing a quick and easy access route both into and out of the city. On-ramps to highway 401 are conveniently located off Bayview Avenue and Yonge Street, south of Sheppard |
Markham is more vibrant than ever! There is always something exciting to do or see. Whether it is taking in a show, enjoying an outdoor festival, attending a community class, or simply hanging out and enjoying Markham’s unique culture. It is the people that make Markham special. This is a place to work, live and call home.
|
|
|