Bedford Park

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Bedford Park
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      History:

      Bedford Park began as a farming hamlet centred around the crossroads of Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue. This village was a popular stopover for farmers travelling to and from the markets in Toronto. It is likely that Bedford Park is named after the Bedford Park Hotel which opened in 1873 at the south west corner of Yonge Street and Fairlawn Avenue. In 1890 the Metropolitan Street Railway expanded its streetcar line northward to service Bedford Park. That same year Bedford Park, no longer a remote outpost, would amalgamate with the Town of North Toronto which would ultimately be annexed by the City of Toronto in 1912. A period of rampant land speculation was then followed by registered plans of subdivision that would create the current residential neighbourhood. Bedford Park’s original housing stock was built mostly in the 1920s, 30s and 40s.

      Ed Note: The former Bedford Park General Store and Post Office building is still standing at the south-west corner of Yonge Street and Bedford Park Avenue.

      Overview:

      The Bedford Park neighbourhood is one of the more popular neighbourhoods in Toronto for families with young children. Bedford Park has an excellent selection of public, private and catholic schools. There are many parkettes and playgrounds, a community centre, a library, and convenient access to Toronto’s transit system.

      Lifestyle:

      Yonge and Lawrence Village is a family-centric uptown shopping destination earning its reputation as a happening, tight-knit community with a diverse offering of culture, food and fun. If you live in the Bedford Park, Lawrence Park, Teddington Park or Wanless Park neighbourhoods these spots might not be news to you, but we want to spread the word and let people know it’s worth the trip to this neighbourhood. Here’s what we’ve come up with.

      Burger’s Priest – 3397 Yonge Street –  https://www.theburgerspriest.com

      Known for its cult following at the original Beach location and for its steady line out the door, this infamous burger joint has opened a second location for us Uptowners and we couldn’t be more ecstatic! The burgers are just as tasty at their bigger and brighter North spot. We are fans of the ridiculously tasty veggie burger, a deep fried mushroom stuffed with gooey cheese. Plus, only at this location, they’re blending up tantalizing malts and shakes – so be sure to save room!

      Neighbour’s Tip: If you’re not part of the clergy and haven’t yet learned their secret menu, be sure to search for it online.

      Belly Buster Submarine – 3447 Yonge Street

      Ask anyone in the neighbourhood and they’ll tell you it’s the best sub they’ve ever eaten. Yes, the décor is reminiscent of the ‘70s, with a bright orange and yellow color scheme, but as soon as you smell the pounds of bacon sizzling, you’ll feel right at home. Their super soft bread, thinly hand-sliced cold cuts, and fresh selection of toppings make this family-run joint a must-try. There’s usually a line to the end of the shop at lunch, dinner and then again at about 2am, but don’t turn around when you see it – it goes quickly and it’s well worth the wait.

      Neighbour’s Tip: Order your sub, but don’t tell them what toppings you want until they ask – trust me!

      Belly Buster Submarine – 3447 Yonge Street

      Ask anyone in the neighbourhood and they’ll tell you it’s the best sub they’ve ever eaten. Yes, the décor is reminiscent of the ‘70s, with a bright orange and yellow color scheme, but as soon as you smell the pounds of bacon sizzling, you’ll feel right at home. Their super soft bread, thinly hand-sliced cold cuts, and fresh selection of toppings make this family-run joint a must-try. There’s usually a line to the end of the shop at lunch, dinner and then again at about 2am, but don’t turn around when you see it – it goes quickly and it’s well worth the wait.

      Neighbour’s Tip: Order your sub, but don’t tell them what toppings you want until they ask – trust me!

      The Abbot Pub – 3367 Yonge Street – https://theabbot.ca/

      This dimly lit and cozy pub is dishing out all the classics and we know you’ll be pleasantly surprised when your food exceeds expectations. They make everything from scratch with the freshest ingredients and bring some life to traditional pub fare. Their “Ploughmans Lunch”, which is a smorgasbord of sharp cheddar cheese, house pate, pickles and a hard-boiled egg, is delicious and a fun change from the norm. And, the shepherd’s pie might even taste better than Mom’s.  This is the kind of place every neighbourhood needs!

      Neighbour’s Tip: They welcome families and love kids, but before and after prime dinner hour it’s also a great spot to grab a beer with a friend at the bar.

      Paradise Comic Books – 3278 Yonge Street – https://paradisecomics.com/

      Paradise Comics has been in Yonge Lawrence Village for over 20 years and it is one of the last standing comic book stores in the city. I walked in looking for a specific comic book that I’ve not been able to find in all my years living in L.A. and Toronto, and after a quick trip into the basement, the owner emerged with my issue. The store, a blast from the past, carries an impressive stock of collectables and is constantly getting in new arrivals.

      Neighbour’s Tip: Whether you’re a collector or not, it’s fun to browse and reminisce. Don’t forget to bring the kids to remind them what things were like before the iPad!

       

      Homes:

      Bedford Park has a good mix of detached and semi-detached homes. The original housing stock was built between 1890 and 1940. However, most of the bungalows in the neighbourhood have recently been torn down and replaced with custom designed new homes with all the bells and whistles. Lot sizes vary with frontages being typically 20 or 25 feet with depths of typically 110-150 feet. The deeper lots may be candidates for a swimming pool or outdoor recreational space. Off street parking is typically available in the form of a mutual driveway, private driveway. Many of the blocks closer to Lawrence Avenue at the south end of the neighbourhood feature rear laneways with parking.

       

      Recreation:

      Wanless Park is the largest park in the neighbourhood. It has five floodlit tennis courts, a basketball court, a baseball diamond, a tots playground and a wading pool. Wanless Park is close to the Bedford Park Community Centre. Located at the Bedford Park Public School this Community Centre includes a gymnasium and an indoor pool. The Woburn parkette, west of Yonge street, is a popular destination point for neighbourhood parents with toddlers and preschoolers. It features a new tots playground and a wading pool. A few blocks north of the Woburn Parkette is The Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre, which operates out of the Fairlawn Heights United Church. This centre includes seasonal programming for residents of all ages. The George Locke Public Library at the south-east corner of Yonge and Lawrence, offers year round programs for adults, children, and preschoolers. The Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre (FNC) is a unique place -offering a broad range of programming for all ages targeted to their 2500 active members. The Centre has become a hub of the community and is often the first place that new families visit when they move into the neighbourhood. You can check out their programs ar www.fairlawnneighbourhoodcentre.com

      Transportation:

      The Lawrence subway station off Yonge Street is within reasonable walking distance of all the homes in this neighbourhood. There is also regular bus service on Yonge Street, as well as limited service on both Avenue Road, and Mount Pleasant Road. Motorists are twenty minutes from downtown and approximately five minutes from the Yonge Street on-ramp to Highway 401.

           

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          Bedford Park Stats

          Walkability:

          High

          Bikeability:

          Medium

          Public Transit:

          High

          Affordability:

          Low

          Greenspace:

          Medium

          Recreation:

          High

           

          Legend: Low, Medium, High

          Commute Times

          Time to Closest Shopping Mall:
          15 Minutes
          Time To TTC Station:
          5 Minutes
          Time to GO Bus or Train Station:
          15 Minutes
          Time To Hospital:
          10 Minutes
          Time to Toronto Pearson International Airport
          25 Minutes
          Time to Closest Highway:
          5 Minutes

          * All commuting times provided are approximate times only. Commute times may increase or decrease depending on where you live within the neighbourhood and the time of day i.e rush hour versus off hour commutes. Time estimates to public transit are based on walking distance or bus line connection whichever is quicker. All other commute times on the chart above are based on drive times.

          School Guide

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          Toronto School Resources

          Editor’s Note. BEFORE MOVING INTO, BUYING OR RENTING A HOME, PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL YOU ARE CONSIDERING BY PHONE to ensure your home is within the designated boundaries and that your child is age appropriate. WE CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MISINFORMATION REGARDING SCHOOL ENROLLMENT SO DO NOT ASSUME that your child can automatically attend a specific school or specialized program until you have official confirmation from that school. Please visit the school board web sites for more information.