Forest Hill Neighbourhood Guide

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History

It was originally incorporated as a village in 1923, and later annexed by the City of Toronto in 1967. The village was named after the summer home of John Wickson; previously it had been known as Spadina Heights (a name that continued to be applied to the neighbourhood into the twentieth century).

Its original boundaries were Bathurst Street to the west, Upper Canada College to the east, Eglinton Avenue to the north, and Lonsdale Road and a portion of Montclair Avenue to the south (the original boundaries of School Section 30). Neighbourhoods north of Eglinton are sometimes though not unanimously regarded as Forest Hill.

Present

Forest Hill is an affluent neighbourhood in central Toronto, and along with Rosedale and The Bridle Path, it is considered to be one of Toronto's wealthiest neighbourhoods

The mansions in Lower Forest Hill are rivaled only by those found in Rosedale. Forest Hill's schools are among the best in the country. They include two of Canada's most revered private schools: Upper Canada College for boys and Bishop Strachan School for girls.

The Lower Village has attracted extensive residential development (especially of apartments), both within the original boundaries of Forest Hill and in adjacent neighbourhoods to which developers have now extended the Village and Forest Hill names.

Homes

Forest Hill's old building codes and bylaws, dating back to the 1920's and 1930's, required that all Forest Hill houses be designed by an architect, and that a tree be planted at the front of each property. This foresight by Village planners has left a legacy of beauty in the brick and stone mansions, and majestic trees that grace the streets of Lower Forest Hill.

The Upper Village houses were built mostly in the 1940's and 1950's. These houses are more modest than their Lower Village counterparts; however the lot sizes are comparable between the two districts.

Forest Hill also contains a fair number of luxury condominium apartment buildings, located west of Spadina on Lonsdale Road and Heath Street West.

Shopping

The Lower Village is known for its upscale shopping and dining, although the actual mix of stores includes several modest enterprises.

Recreation and Leisure

The Belt Line fitness and nature trail follows the route of the former Belt Line railway, which was Toronto's first commuter train. This fourteen and one-half kilometre track passes through Forest Hill on its way down to Rosedale. The Belt Line Path is enjoyed by both nature and fitness enthusiasts.

Forest Hill's Public Library has a myriad of programs for adults, children, and preschoolers.

Transportation

Forest Hill is conveniently located within walking distance of numerous bus routes that connect passengers to Toronto's rapid transit subway lines. For motorists commuting in and out of the city, the Allen Expressway is easily accessed from Eglinton Avenue West.