The view of Deer Park at sunset from a balcony in Brentwood Towers.
Both Deer/Moore Park are exceptional neighbourhoods amidst Toronto's urban landscape: they are quiet, residential communities surrounded by nature, conveniently located just steps away from several bustling centres of the city. Together, these trendy adjacent midtown neighbourhoods comprise one of the most desirable areas in the city, home to several O'Shanter buildings — 425 Avenue Road, 42 Glen Elm, Brentwood Towers, and an exciting new collection of limited-edition townhomes, known as Deer Park Crossing.
Image Source: Toronto Public Library
Historical Origins of the Area
Deer Park's etymology can be traced back to 1837, when the Heath family purchased forty acres of open meadowland where deer would frequently gather to feed. Animals continued to roam freely as the estate slowly grew to include a small school, store, and hotel centred at Yonge and St. Clair. The neighbourhood was annexed into the City of Toronto in 1908, and since then it has been widely considered one of the most desirable residential districts in the city.
Moore Park, on the other hand, was named after John Thomas Moore, a key figure in the development of Toronto's first commuter train, the Belt Line Railway. Pictured above in a photo taken in 1912, Moore Park Station was first launched in 1889 and served as the crown jewel of Moore's visionary railway project.
By the 1930s, both neighbourhoods were completely developed. Since then, some of Canada's brightest icons have chosen to make the area their home, including prolific pianist Glenn Gould and founding member of the Group of Seven J.E.H. MacDonald.
Image Source: 42 Glen Elm
Community Highlights
Characterized by a mix of original homes built as early as 1875 and modern high rises, this neighbourhood provides a wonderful blend of new and old. Deer/Moore Park has a remarkable number of incredible public and private schools, including Deer Park Public School, Bennington Heights Elementary School, and Upper Canada College, which first moved to its current location in 1891, when the area was still highly rural.
This is a highly accessible neighbourhood, located close to key TTC bus lines on St. Clair Avenue, Mount Pleasant Road, and Moore Avenue, and in walking distance from Yonge and St. Clair subway station. For motorists, Deer/Moore Park is conveniently situated close to both the Bayview Extension and Don Valley Parkway via Moore Avenue.
Key nearby intersections of Yonge/St. Clair and Mt. Pleasant/Davisville offer well-renowned shopping and endless food selection, from cheap tasty eats to gourmet fine dining. Living in Moore/Deer Park comes with the feeling of a peaceful, close-knit community, but the CN tower still remains in sight, reminding you of your whereabouts in a lively, bustling city.
Image Source: Mapio
Greenspace Galore
One of the major draws of the Deer/Moore Park area is the abundant greenspace surrounding the community from every direction. With remarkably high Walk, Bike, and Transit Scores, this neighbourhood is a certified adventurer's paradise, providing year-round access to gorgeous parks and trails nearby.
The Moore Park Ravine Trail is a six-kilometre well-maintained trail that is a favourite of many joggers, cyclists, and dogs alike. It connects to the Kay Gardner Beltline Trail, which covers a whopping nine-kilometres of the city, providing a pleasant escape (and substantial walk!) for city-dwellers looking to connect with nature. There is also the stunning Rosehill Reservoir, located within David A. Balfour Park — a vast, twenty-hectare park full of reflecting pools, ornamental fountains, a kids playground, and lovely forestry intermingled with pedestrian trails. If you don't care for a full-blown walk through a ravine trail, just taking a stroll through one of many lush-tree-lined streets in the area is enough to satisfy a craving for nature.
Image Source: OSD — A rendering of townhomes of Deer Park Crossing.
O'Shanter Life in Deer/Moore Park
If you're interested in learning more about renting in Deer/Moore Park, check out 425 Avenue Road, 42 Glen Elm, and Brentwood Towers for more information. Those interested in purchasing a home in the area should register their interest in Deer Park Crossing, a collection of ten limited edition townhome residences, ready for occupancy early summer 2021. Located steps away from both the natural beauty of the Kay Gardner Beltline Trail and all of the conveniences of city living, Deer Park Crossing offers a lifestyle of refined, sophisticated elegance. Visit the official Deer Park Crossing website to register your interest, or contact Forest Hill Real Estate for more information.