Rosedale, Toronto

Rosedale is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located north of the downtown of Toronto and is one of its oldest suburbs. It is also one of the wealthiest and highly priced neighbourhoods in Canada. It is known as the area where the city's 'Old Money' lives, and is home to some of Canada's richest and most famous citizens.

History

Rosedale's boundaries, are the CPR railway tracks to the north, Yonge Street to the west, Bloor Street to the south, and Bayview Avenue to the east. The neighbourhood is within the City of Toronto's Rosedale-Moore Park neighbourhood. The neighbourhood is divided into a north and south portion by the Park Drive Ravine. South Rosedale was first settled by Sheriff William Jarvis and his wife, Mary, in the 1820s. Mary Jarvis, whose frequent walks and horseback rides blazed the trails for Rosedale's meandering streets (which are one of the area's trademarks), named Rosedale as a tribute to the abundance of wild roses that graced the hillsides of the Jarvis estate. The Jarvis Family sold the Rosedale homestead in 1864, which led to the residential development of the area soon after.

North Rosedale's development began after the construction of a bridge across the Park Drive Ravine, in 1909. Prior to its development, North Rosedale was the home of St. Andrew's College (1899-1924), an all-boys boarding school (which has since moved to Aurora, Ontario) and the Rosedale Golf Club. The golf club was also home to a lacrosse field (Rosedale Field) and site of the first Grey Cup game.

Character

Rosedale is built among three ravines, preserved as parkland. Rosedale has convoluted routes through the neighbourhood and other physical boundaries, and thus it has low levels of vehicular traffic. Even though Rosedale is located in the middle of Toronto, virtually no vehicular traffic can be heard due to the abundance of trees and foliage that surround the community. The homes are mostly single family detached dwellings.

South Rosedale is currently home to an exclusive all-girls school, Branksome Hall. Rosedale Public School is a small elementary school in central Rosedale that is across the street from Rosedale's community centre: [http://www.mooredale.org/ Mooredale House.]

Rosedale Park is home to the annual spring park party, Mayfair. The event typically consists of rides, games, flea market and other such carnival-type activities. The event is traditionally on the first Saturday in May. The event is run and funded by Mooredale House.

Important buildings in Rosedale

* The Studio Building (25 Severn Street)
* North Toronto CPR Station

References

External links

* [http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/cns_profiles/cns98.htm Rosedale Neighbourhood profile]
* [http://www.northrosedale.ca/index.asp North Rosedale Ratepayers Association]

Toronto Neighbourhood Geography
North=Moore Park, Toronto
East=Playter Estates
South=Financial District
West= The Annex, Yorkville, Toronto
Center=Rosedale, Toronto|width=88