York University Heights

York University Heights, also known as Northwood Park, is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is one of Toronto's northernmost neighbourhoods, located along the northern boundary of Steeles Avenue in the former city of North York. The neighbourhood is so named because it contains the main campus of York University. This area is most popular with immigrants of Italian and Chinese descent who have established communities in the area. It is located between Sheppard Avenue and Steeles Avenue east of Black Creek (Derrydowns Park).

"Northwood Park" redirects here. For the football club, see Northwood F.C.

York University Heights/Northwood Park
Neighbourhood
View of York University Heights from York University station
View of York University Heights from York University station
Country Canada
Province Ontario
CityToronto
Municipality established1850 York Township
Changed municipality1922 North York from York Township
Changed municipality1998 Toronto from North York
Population
 (2016)[1]
 • Total27,593
 • Density2,086/km2 (5,400/sq mi)

The neighborhood contains many private residences, many of which are detached and semi-detached bungalows, townhouses as well as a recent new urbanism development, the Village at York, there is also a handful of condominiums, several lowrise apartments, and a few high rise apartments.

History

The Village at York University

The Village at York University is one of the last major new-home developments within the City of Toronto including condominium townhouses, semi-detached and detached homes. First residents moved into the first phase of approximately 550 homes in the summer of 2005. A second phase, which started construction in 2007, adds about 300 more homes but includes no new townhouses. It is located just south of the York University campus, north of Finch Avenue.

Characteristics of The Village:

  • It sits on land purchased from York University by the real estate developer Tribute Communities, within the boundaries of the city's secondary plan for York, and in some ways is still considered part of the university community. First-time buyers were given no-cost memberships to York's athletic facilities and privileges at its libraries. Many residents of the Village are York students and staff.
  • The development's design is loosely based on what is called "new urbanism", the features of which include high density, garages opening to laneways in the back, and plenty of balconies and terraces.
  • The neighbourhood is served by three subway stations on Line 1 Yonge–University. These stations opened on December 17, 2017 when an extension of the line was completed: Pioneer Village station runs diagonally under the intersection of Steeles Avenue West and Northwest Gate. York University station is located in the York University Commons, and Finch West station is located at the corner of Finch Avenue and Keele Street.
  • The Village, though no longer on university-owned land, is considered part of the broader university area by city planners, and is a component of the York University Secondary Plan.[2]
  • A significant number of homes in The Village offer—or have been totally converted into—student housing (the Toronto Star reported in the fall of 2007 that the Village was "filled" with students ).

The Village is served by a residents' group representing both renters and homeowners, which was incorporated in mid-2006.

Education
In the northwest of the neighbourhood is the campus for York University, which also holds Seneca College's Seneca@York campus.

Two public school boards operate schools in York University Heights, the separate Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), and the secular Toronto District School Board (TDSB). The French first language public secular school board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde, and it separate counterpart, Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir also offer schooling to applicable residents of Morningside, although they do not operate a school in the neighbourhood, with CSCM/CSV students attending schools situated in other neighbourhoods in Toronto.

Both TCDSB, and TDSB operate public elementary schools in the neighbourhood. TCDSB operates one elementary school in the neighbourhood, St. Wilfred Catholic School; whereas TDSB operate five institions that provide primary education, Derrydown Public School, Elia Middle School, Lamberton Public School, Sheppard Public School, and Stilecroft Public School. Both school boards also operate public secondary schools in the neighbourhood. TCDSB operates James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School, whereas TDSB operates C. W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute.

In addition to elementary and secondary education institutions, the northwest portion of the neighbourhood is home to two public post-secondary institutions, York University, as well as a branch of Seneca College, located at the same university campus.

Demographics

Major ethnic populations (2016):[1]

Transportation
Entrance to Finch West station, a subway station in the neighbourhood.

Several major roadways pass through the neighbourhood including north–south Keele Street, and east–west roadways Finch and Sheppard Avenue. To the north, the neighbourhood is bounded by Steeles Avenue.

Public transit

Public transportation in the neighbourhood is provided by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). The TTC operates a number of public transportation services, including bus routes, and the Toronto subway. Three subway stations of Line 1 Yonge–University are located in the neighbourhood, Pioneer Village station on Steeles Avenue, York University station, and Finch West station on Finch Avenue. Pioneer Village station also provides access to York Region Transit bus routes.

Until March 18, 2020, the neighbourhood was also serviced by York University GO Station, a railway station on GO Transit's Barrie line, located east of the university campus. The station was permanently closed due to low passenger usage.[3][4]

References
  1. "2016 Neighborhood Profile York University Heights" (PDF). City of Toronto. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  2. "Planning & Development". 14 July 2017.
  3. "GO Train Shuttle Service". York University. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  4. "York University GO Station closes to make way for Barrie Line expansion". Metrolinx. July 19, 2021. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2021.

43.762°N 79.500°W / 43.762; -79.500

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