York Mills Neighbourhood Guide
The neighbourhood of York Mills is beautiful and rich with history. Its borders are Yonge Street to the west, Leslie Street to the east, the 401 to the north, and Windfields Park to the south. I wanted to share with you why I love this neighbourhood so much, so please enjoy my York Mills Neighbourhood Guide.
York Mills History
The name York Mills refers to two historical points in Toronto’s history. The first being, “York” which was the name of the town before it became Toronto as we know it today. The “Mills” part of the neighbourhood’s name is derived from the grist mills and sawmills that churned in the local waterways from 1804 until 1926. The neighbourhood of York Mills had busy origins. It boasted a blacksmith shop, a tannery, a distillery, three churches, a post office, a toll gate, a school and the Jolly Miller Tavern which you can find still standing today. Another historical masterpiece you can visit from York Mills’ early days is the St. John’s Anglican church which began in 1816 as a log church and became the church we see today in 1844.
York Mills Architecture
Known for being an affluent neighbourhood, York Mills features expansive properties with lush landscapes and century old trees. If you are a fan of the executive-style home, this is the perfect neighbourhood for you. Most of the homes built in this neighbourhood were built between the late 1920s into the 1960s. You will find home styles varying from English Cottage, Tudor, Ranch and Split-Level to large new, custom-built homes.
York Mills Lifestyle
The next stop on our York Mills Neighbourhood Guide tour illustrates the lifestyle of the neighbourhood. York Mills Plaza is one of the highlights of the area, featuring a supermarket, international restaurants, wine shops, small specialty retail stores, gourmet food shops, and a large drug store.
The piece de resistance, which is not only beloved by locals but draws visitors from all over the GTA is the Bayview Village Shopping Centre. This is an upscale shopping centre that a mixture of larger luxury brands as well as exclusive boutiques.
York Mills Recreation
For those who love green spaces, there is lots to enjoy in York Mills. York Mills Park, located at the south-east corner of Bayview Avenue and York Mills Road offers a baseball diamond, a children’s playground and an outdoor swimming pool. From York Mills Park you can easily gain access to Windfields Park which is perfect for hiking and running along a ravine valley and the winding course of Willet Creek.
There is also the York Mills Arena which is a neighbourhood favourite in the winter. Here, you will be able to enjoy public skating, youth ice programs and leagues, adult and youth pickup hockey, as well as figure skating and ice-skating lessons.
Finally, it is a truth universally acknowledged that York Mills is home to the oldest and most prestigious municipal golf course in the city. It was created using the classic Howard Watson design and is a challenge for even the most skilled of golfers.
York Mills Transportation
Whether you own a car, or you prefer public transit, York Mills is very accessible. There are bus lines along all of York Mills’ main arterial roadways. These routes all connect to the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line. There is also a Go Transit station within the neighbourhood that provides express service to Pearson International Airport.
As you can see in this York Mills Neighbourhood guide, there is truly something for everyone!
If you would like to learn more about this neighbourhood and how it can become your next home, please feel free to
