Riverside is a small commercial-residential neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, situated within the larger east-end neighbourhood of Riverdale. It is bounded by the Don River to the west, Gerrard Street East to the north, Empire Avenue to the east and Eastern Avenue to the south.
History edit
Riverside first appears on an 1882 map of Toronto titled: Goads Insurance Plan of the City[1]. The nearby Toronto "Base Ball Ground" is shown as a neighbourhood landmark. By 1889, an updated Goads map states that Riverside is now known as St. Matthew's ward and proclaims that it will eventually form part of Toronto. This was a foregone conclusion as Riverside had already been annexed by the City of Toronto in 1884.
Prior to annexation, Riverside was mostly working class with many people in the area employed by the nearby railway or one of the local market gardens. Some of the original labourers cottages have survived from this time. Annexation would usher in a new era of prosperity for Riverside. It was during this transitional time from village to city neighbourhood that many of the beautiful Victorian and Edwardian homes that line the streets of this neighbourhood were built.
The one negative impact of annexation for Riverside was a loss of identity. No longer a village it was now referred to as a municipal ward. Eventually Riverside would simply be referred to as South Riverdale, a part of the greater Riverdale neighbourhood.
In 1980, businesses in the area embraced a new identity as Queen-Broadview Village, one of Toronto's first business improvement areas (BIA)[2]. In spite of the name change, the neighbourhood refused gentrification, while neighbourhoods all around it basked in revitalization and became trendy and hip destinations.
In 2005, the local BIA decided to look to its past as a guidepost for the future and changed its name to Riverside.
Landmarks edit
Riverside is known for its many historic buildings and rich cultural heritage.
The biggest landmark in the neighbourhood is the Broadview Hotel, a red sandstone commercial block in Romanesque style constructed in 1891-3, that was the tallest structure in South Riverdale for many decades. Other major landmarks include the Ralph Thornton Community Centre,(Queen Saulter branch Toronto Public Library) Broadview Lofts, and The Opera House. Riverside was also the location of Sunlight Park, Toronto's first baseball stadium[3]
Culture edit
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Riverside is a mixed income and multicultural neighbourhood currently experiencing a trend of "gentrification" along Queen St. East and Broadview Ave. It had been home to the Don Destructor, a Toronto garbage incinerator which was demolished in 2004. Don Mount Court, now known as Rivertowne, a social housing project was recently redeveloped as a mixed social housing and market value community[4].
Riverside is rapidly emerging as a district of independent design, furniture and food retailers, as well as restaurants and craft beer breweries[5]. The neighbourhood is a shining example of how respect for an areas history and architecture can revive an entire neighbourhood and turn its fortunes around.
Demographic edit
The area has a large young population, evident in the cluster of schools just east of Broadview Avenue.
Dundas Junior Public School is the resident school for children in kindergarten through to fifth grade, after which they are transferred to Queen Alexandra Sr. Public School which sees students through to eighth grade.
It is also home to the First Nations School of Toronto, a cultural survival school that places heavy emphasis on aboriginal values and culture, and SEED Alternative Secondary School, Canada's first public alternative school.
Recreation edit
Riverside, along with neighbourhing Leslieville, benefit from having the Jimmie Simpson Park which is on Queen Street East. The park contains tennis courts and the Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre which serves as a hub for recreation programming with a variety of opportunities for people of all ages[6]. Activities offered include swimming, fitness, youth, sports, and after school and preschool programs.
In the southwest corner just north of Queen St. East on Broadview Avenue is the Royal Canadian Curling Club, which hosts house league draws on evenings from Sunday to Friday as well as Tuesday afternoons. The curling club has about 500 members.
References edit
- ^ "Toronto Map - Toronto Neighbourhood Guide". www.torontoneighbourhoods.net. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
- ^ "Riverside BIA & Neighbourhood". Riverside Toronto. Retrieved 2019-09-17.
- ^ "Fun Facts About Toronto's Riverside". Riverside Toronto. 2018-09-26. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
- ^ "Don Mount Court | Rivertowne Project | Kearns Mancini Architects". kmai.com. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
- ^ "Riverside is Rising. Toronto's up and coming neighbourhood". Porter Airlines.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Recreation, Toronto Parks, Forestry and. "Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre". City of Toronto. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
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