Neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Humber Summit
is a neighbourhood in
Toronto
,
Ontario
, Canada. It is one of the northernmost neighbourhoods in Toronto, located in the
North York
district of the city. It is bounded by
Steeles Avenue
to the north,
Highway 400
to the east,
Finch Avenue
to the south, and follows the
Humber River
(east branch) to the west.
History
[
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]
In the 1840s, Humber Summit began as a
pioneer
community, centred on the
grist
and
saw mills
.
[2]
However, as the city boundaries crept closer, the area evolved into a resort community, called Riverbend Park. In 1953, the area, along with the rest of
North York
, was severed from
York County
, joining other municipalities south of
Steeles Avenue
to form the regional government of
Metropolitan Toronto
.
It became home to many Toronto residents who built cottages on the banks of the Humber River. When
Hurricane Hazel
hit Toronto in 1954, many of the cottages were swept away by the overflowing river. In 1998, the neighbourhood was
amalgamated
into the new City of Toronto.
Today, Humber Summit is a
middle class
community. It contains a significant, well-established
Italian
community, but has also become the home for new
East Indian
and
Asian
families. The residences are generally
semi-detached
backsplits
with built-in garages. Adding to the character of the
suburban
post-
World War II
1960s homes are front porches decorated with
cast-iron
railings, and elaborate front archways.
Education
[
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]
Two
public
school boards
operate schools in Humber Summit, the
separate
Toronto Catholic District School Board
(TCDSB), and the
secular
Toronto District School Board
(TDSB).
Both TCDSB and TDSB operate public
elementary
and
middle schools
in the neighbourhood. TCDSB operates St. Roch Catholic School on Duncanwoods Drive, and Venerable John Merlini Catholic School on Whitfield Avenue. TDSB operates two institutions that provide
primary education
, Gracedale Public School on Gracedale Boulevard, and Humber Summit Middle School, formerly Humbermede Junior High School - from 1970, G.B. Warren Junior High School - on Pearldale Avenue. Previously, TCDSB operated St. Gaspar Catholic School on Plunkett Drive that opened in 1972 and closed in 2002, with the building demolished as of 2018.
Neither school board operate a
secondary school
in the neighbourhood, with TDSB secondary school students residing in Humber Summit attending institutions in adjacent neighbourhoods. The French
first language
public secular school board,
Conseil scolaire Viamonde
, and it separate counterpart,
Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir
also offer schooling to applicable residents of Humber Summit, although they do not operate a school in the neighbourhood. CSCM and CSV students attend schools situated in other neighbourhoods in Toronto.
Demographics
[
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]
Total population (2021): 12,185
[1]
Major ethnic populations (2021):
Total population (2016): 12,416
[3]
Major ethnic populations (2016):
Total population (2011): 12,525
[4]
Major ethnic populations (2011):
Total population (2006): 12,755
[5]
Major ethnic populations (2006):
Total population (2001): 12,515
[6]
Major ethnic populations (2001):
Recreation
[
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]
The
Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division
manages a number of municipal parks in Humber Summit, including Apted Park, Gracedale Park, and Rowntree Mill Park. The latter park is situated near the
Humber Valley
. The Humber Valley forms a part of the
Toronto ravine system
.
The Humber Summit branch of the
Toronto Public Library
(TPL) located at 2990 Islington Avenue. The library was opened by predecessor of TPL, the North York Public Library Board, on 15 May 1974. It was the first branch in North York to be in a shared facility with another community agency (the North York Parks and Recreation Department.)
Transportation
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]
Several major roadways pass through the neighbourhood, including
Finch Avenue
,
Steeles Avenue
,
Weston Road
, and
Highway 400
, a major north-south
controlled access highway
that connects the northern areas of
Greater Toronto
with the city. Steeles Avenue serves as Humber Summit's northern boundary, whereas Finch Avenue serves as the city's southern boundary.
Public transit
is provided by the
Toronto Transit Commission
's (TTC)
bus system
. In addition to the TTC, bus routes provided by
York Region Transit
is also accessible from Humber Summit, providing access to
York Region
.
References
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]
External links
[
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]
Places adjacent to Humber Summit
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43°45′25″N
79°34′19″W
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43.757°N 79.572°W
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43.757; -79.572