Acting as the gateway to Toronto's east end neighbourhoods, Riverdale is a large and diverse community that is well known for its elegant Victorian homes and great parks. North Riverdale from Gerrard to the Danforth is very popular with young affluent professionals, while South Riverdale has traditionally attracted a good mix of residents seeking more affordable homes that maintain excellent proximity to downtown Toronto. North and South Riverdale are bordered by Broadview and Pape Ave. from West to East and while there are parts of Riverdale which seep north of the Danforth, the majority of Riverdale is located south of the Danforth to Eastern Ave. Keep in mind that precise borders for Riverdale vary depending on your source. Some sources have the eastern boundary of Riverdale extending to Greenwood. East of Pape, the southern boundary is defined by the railway tracks.
Transportation
One of Riverdale’s best features is its accessibility to downtown Toronto. Easy access to Bloor and Lake Shore Boulevard, which in turn connect to the Don Valley Expressway and the Gardiner Expressway has contributed to the popularity of Riverdale. Riverdale is also easily accessed via public transit with nearby Broadview, Chester and Pape subway stations. An east-west streetcar and bus access into downtown along Eastern, Queen, Dundas and Gerrard and north-south routes along Broadview and Carlaw/Pape make travelling to and from Riverdale easy.
History
The Grand Trunk Railway brought industry and employment opportunities to Riverdale which up until that point had been a small rural community. The first homes in Riverdale were built south of the railway tracks. The area north of Queen St. was not developed until 1884 and at that time was called Riverside. It’s believed that the name change likely occurred to reference the local Riverdale Park within the community. Once the Prince Edward Viaduct (Bloor Viaduct) was built in 1918, development in Riverdale greatly accelerated.
Homes
Built between 1880’s and 1924, North Riverdale homes consist of two and three storey Victorian houses which feature some of the tallest maple trees in the city. Increased demand in this area have driven real estate values upward and stimulated an increase in home renovations both inside and out. Curb appeal galore, Riverdale residents take pride in their homes and their neighbourhood. South Riverdale homes, which are located south of Gerrard, consist of Victorian homes, rowhouses and semi-detached homes. This area attracts many young couples looking to enter the neighbourhood. Increased demand for this neighbourhood has also prompted developers to condos, namely lofts in this area. Broadview oft, Riverside Lofts and Carlaw lofts are just a few examples of recent condo development in the area.
Recreation
Riverdale locals are fortunate to have three large beautiful local parks. Riverdale Park East, Withrow Park and Jimmie Simpson Park provide the locals with a myriad of activities to choose from. The East side of Riverdale Park has arguably the best tobogganing hills in the city, not to mention a running track, tennis court and baseball diamond. The West side of Riverdale Park (which is actually in Cabbagetown) houses the popular Riverdale Farm which is always a favourite spot to take the kids. Withrow Park extends from Carlaw to Logan and is south of the Danforth. This expanse of green space often welcomes dog walkers; mom’s taking their babies for a stroll and ice skaters and outdoor theatre lovers in the summer.
The Pape Recreational Centre has a gymnasium, an indoor pool, a weight room and meeting rooms. Riverdale has four public libraries that offer a variety of programs for children, adults and seniors.
Shopping
Riverdale's best known shopping district is along Danforth Avenue, east of Broadview. Riverdale also has a Chinatown shopping district around Gerrard and Broadview which is most notably known for its fruit markets, bakeries and restaurants. Queen Broadview Village is also a well-liked area which has some great antique finds and collectible shops! The newly renovated Gerrard Square mall located at the corner of Pape Avenue and Gerrard Street has over 70 stores and has some great anchor tenants like Home Depot, Winners, Zellers and Food Basics.
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Learn more about Riverdale’s neighbouring communities:
