Cedarvale Guide

History

Cedarvale's residential development began in 1912 when Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, the builder of Toronto's famous Casa Loma registered a plan of subdivision for the south end of this neighbourhood under the name "Cedar Vale". Vale denoted the ravine that runs through the centre of this neighbourhood and the Cedar part of the name makes reference to the many cedars that grew in the wet lowlands of the ravine.

Present

The defining feature of this neighbourhood is the Cedarvale Ravine, which cuts a wide diagonal swath through the middle of Cedarvale. This ravine provides numerous recreational opportunities.

Homes

Cedarvale's Tudor and Georgian style houses were built mostly between 1920 and 1950. The bigger and more expensive Cedarvale homes are on premium lots overlooking the ravine. Cedarvale's interior streets contain a mix of good size family homes and sturdy little starter homes. There are also a number of multi-plex houses and walk-up apartment buildings located on the periphery of this neighbourhood.

Shopping

Eglinton Avenue West is one of Toronto's most glamorous and ritzy shopping districts. Included in the mix are high end fashion stores, gift and home improvement stores, specialty food shops, professional services and an excellent variety of restaurants.
The shopping district further west along Eglinton Avenue and on Vaughan Road between Oakwood Avenue and Dufferin Street features the largest concentration of Caribbean shops, restaurants, and services in Toronto.

Recreation and Leisure

The Cedarvale Ravine can be accessed through Cedarvale Park at Ava and Everden Roads. This ravine is enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, joggers, bird watchers and in the wintertime cross country skiers. Cedarvale Ravine is part of the historic Belt Line Railway path - an old commuter railway right of way - that dates back to the 1880's.
Cedarvale Park located at the north end of the ravine provides local residents with a multi-use recreational space that includes tennis courts, playing fields and the Phil White indoor ice arena.

Transportation

Bus service on Bathurst Street, and Vaughan Road connects passengers to the Bathurst station on the Bloor-Danforth subway line. The Eglinton Avenue Road West bus connects passengers to the Eglinton station on the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line.  Motorists are just minutes from the Allen Road Expressway at Eglinton Avenue. This expressway feeds into Highway 401 and its network of commuter highways. Bathurst Street is a main arterial road that provides quick and convenient access into the core of the city.