Etobicoke West Mall
Carsbrooke Park
415 Renforth Drive
A small park on Renforth Drive south of Rathburn Road featuring two gazebos and a children's playground.
Christ The King Park
475 Rathburn Road
A small parkette that features a large, grassy area, playground equipment, and benches.
Applewood Shaver Homestead
450 The West Mall
Applewood was built in 1852 by Peter and Esther Shaver and remained in the Shaver family until 1980. It is the birthplace of James Shaver Woodsworth, the principal founder of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) political party, forerunner to today's New Democratic Party. The house is one of the very few examples of mid-nineteenth century rural architecture remaining in the Toronto area. The brickwork in the front facade is laid in a pattern called Flemish Bond. Contrasting yellow bricks were used in the quoins at the front corners, raised pilasters (decorative columns) define the front door, with radiating arches over each window and a string-course of bricks laid in a star pattern under the eaves. All of the bricks were made on site. The house is symmetrical on all four sides including the windows (a common feature of this type of house). Today, the Applewood Shaver House is used for events and concerts.
Broadacres Park
35 Crendon Boulevard
A 5.7-hectare park near Burnhamthorpe Road and The West Mall featuring a ball diamond, a children's playground and a large open green space. The park is also known for its cherry trees, which were planted in 2002. It is considered one of the best places to view the sakura (Japanese for cherry blossom) in spring. The trees can be found in the southwest portion of the park near Elderfield Crescent.
Anya Mielniczek Artbox
Northwest corner of The West Mall & Burnhamthorpe Road
The theme behind this design surrounds positive affirmations that we tell ourselves: phrases that are short, sweet and to the point. In the fast pace of city life or the flurry of a million thoughts, it's easy to lose oneself. The idea behind 'Feel Good' is for this box to stand as a little reminder or pick me up (if need be).
Gerald Gladstone 'Galaxy'
399 The West Mall (Near the Etobicoke Civic Centre's West Entrance)
'Galaxy', designed by Gerald Gladstone, was commissioned by the Constellation Hotel in 1964 and was later donated to the City of Etobicoke in 1981. Fascinated with space exploration and the human spirit, Gladstone created the aluminum sculpture with tiers of tilted rings and a network of wires suspending four small and one large satellite.
Etobicoke Civic Centre
399 The West Mall
The Etobicoke Civic Centre (ECC) opened in 1958. Before the amalgamation of Etobicoke into the City of Toronto, it was the Etobicoke City Hall, housing the municipal government. The building now functions as a meeting place for the Etobicoke York Community Council and other committees as well as a number of municipal departments and services. The Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery was formed in 1976 by the Etobicoke City Council to support arts in the community. It is located along the hallway just inside the main entrance and specializes in juried art shows by local, provincial and national artist collectives and arts organizations. The Etobicoke Hall of Fame is permanently housed in the gallery. It recognizes leaders, war heroes, politicians, teachers, artists and other community leaders of Etobicoke. The Etobicoke Civic Centre will be relocated to an area known as the Six Points once a new building is constructed.
Etobicoke Cenotaph
399 The West Mall (Near the Etobicoke Civic Centre's East Entrance)
This tall limestone cenotaph was originally designed by R. Russell and functioned as a clock tower until it was transformed into a memorial to honour those who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War in 1968.
Dennis Flynn Park
370 The West Mall
This 2.6-hectare park in West Etobicoke features three tennis courts, a children's playground and a large open field. Previously known as West Mall Park, it was re-named in honour of Dennis Flynn, who was the longest serving Mayor of Etobicoke. Flynn served in this position from 1977 to 1984, and also held the positions of Chair of Metropolitan Toronto and Metro Councillor. A veteran of the Second World War, Flynn parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and was wounded twice. He later created the Dennis Flynn Foundation in 1985, whose goal was to assist those affected by family breakdown. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2001.
Eatonville Junior School
15 Rossburn Drive
Much of this area is colloquially referred to as 'Eatonville', a name that dates back to the 1890s, when department store magnate Timothy Eaton purchased much of Peter Shaver's farmland here in order to set up a dairy farm on site. Eaton did so because he was frustrated with city dairies not providing him with enough cream for his store's soda fountains. The milk his cows produced also ended up supplying his grocery department and restaurants. The farm grew in size throughout the early 1900s, with meat and vegetable production also happening on site. Eaton donated a section of the land for the local school, which was re-named 'Eatonville' in his honour in 1918. Though the original school no longer exists, the Eatonville name lives on in this newer school constructed in 1955 near the site of the old one, and is one of the few remaining community buildings with this moniker.
Explore Etobicoke West Mall
Now is the time for residents to experience all that tourists have been raving about for years. Discover shops, stops, places and spaces on city main streets. Stay curious, Toronto.
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Explore FREE Public Art Across the City. Toronto's Year of Public Art 2021-2022 is a year-long celebration of Toronto's exceptional public art collection and the creative community behind it.
We hope that you enjoyed exploring this Toronto neighbourhood and found many other points of interest along the way. While StrollTO highlights some of the 'hidden gems' in the neighbourhood, there may be others that could be included in a future edition. Would you like to share a point of interest that you discovered in the neighbourhood? Email us at [email protected].
Neighbourhood Stroll
Reminders of Etobicoke's past and present can be found in this suburban neighbourhood. The historic Applewood Shaver Estate highlights the area's agricultural past, while the Etobicoke Civic Centre was the municipal headquarters of the former city, and still acts as an administrative centre to this day. The rest of the neighbourhood is largely residential, featuring winding streets and tranquil parks that contrast against the busy Highway 427 that makes up the area's eastern edge. Great local businesses can be found on Rathburn Road, Burnhamthorpe Road, The West Mall, and Bloor Street West.
- Carsbrooke Park
415 Renforth Drive
A small park on Renforth Drive south of Rathburn Road featuring two gazebos and a children's playground.
- Christ The King Park
475 Rathburn Road
A small parkette that features a large, grassy area, playground equipment, and benches.
- Applewood Shaver Homestead
450 The West Mall
Applewood was built in 1852 by Peter and Esther Shaver and remained in the Shaver family until 1980. It is the birthplace of James Shaver Woodsworth, the principal founder of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) political party, forerunner to today's New Democratic Party. The house is one of the very few examples of mid-nineteenth century rural architecture remaining in the Toronto area. The brickwork in the front facade is laid in a pattern called Flemish Bond. Contrasting yellow bricks were used in the quoins at the front corners, raised pilasters (decorative columns) define the front door, with radiating arches over each window and a string-course of bricks laid in a star pattern under the eaves. All of the bricks were made on site. The house is symmetrical on all four sides including the windows (a common feature of this type of house). Today, the Applewood Shaver House is used for events and concerts.
- Broadacres Park
35 Crendon Boulevard
A 5.7-hectare park near Burnhamthorpe Road and The West Mall featuring a ball diamond, a children's playground and a large open green space. The park is also known for its cherry trees, which were planted in 2002. It is considered one of the best places to view the sakura (Japanese for cherry blossom) in spring. The trees can be found in the southwest portion of the park near Elderfield Crescent.
- Anya Mielniczek Artbox
Northwest corner of The West Mall & Burnhamthorpe Road
The theme behind this design surrounds positive affirmations that we tell ourselves: phrases that are short, sweet and to the point. In the fast pace of city life or the flurry of a million thoughts, it's easy to lose oneself. The idea behind 'Feel Good' is for this box to stand as a little reminder or pick me up (if need be).
- Gerald Gladstone 'Galaxy'
399 The West Mall (Near the Etobicoke Civic Centre's West Entrance)
'Galaxy', designed by Gerald Gladstone, was commissioned by the Constellation Hotel in 1964 and was later donated to the City of Etobicoke in 1981. Fascinated with space exploration and the human spirit, Gladstone created the aluminum sculpture with tiers of tilted rings and a network of wires suspending four small and one large satellite.
- Etobicoke Civic Centre
399 The West Mall
The Etobicoke Civic Centre (ECC) opened in 1958. Before the amalgamation of Etobicoke into the City of Toronto, it was the Etobicoke City Hall, housing the municipal government. The building now functions as a meeting place for the Etobicoke York Community Council and other committees as well as a number of municipal departments and services. The Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery was formed in 1976 by the Etobicoke City Council to support arts in the community. It is located along the hallway just inside the main entrance and specializes in juried art shows by local, provincial and national artist collectives and arts organizations. The Etobicoke Hall of Fame is permanently housed in the gallery. It recognizes leaders, war heroes, politicians, teachers, artists and other community leaders of Etobicoke. The Etobicoke Civic Centre will be relocated to an area known as the Six Points once a new building is constructed.
- Etobicoke Cenotaph
399 The West Mall (Near the Etobicoke Civic Centre's East Entrance)
This tall limestone cenotaph was originally designed by R. Russell and functioned as a clock tower until it was transformed into a memorial to honour those who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War in 1968.
- Dennis Flynn Park
370 The West Mall
This 2.6-hectare park in West Etobicoke features three tennis courts, a children's playground and a large open field. Previously known as West Mall Park, it was re-named in honour of Dennis Flynn, who was the longest serving Mayor of Etobicoke. Flynn served in this position from 1977 to 1984, and also held the positions of Chair of Metropolitan Toronto and Metro Councillor. A veteran of the Second World War, Flynn parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and was wounded twice. He later created the Dennis Flynn Foundation in 1985, whose goal was to assist those affected by family breakdown. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2001.
- Eatonville Junior School
15 Rossburn Drive
Much of this area is colloquially referred to as 'Eatonville', a name that dates back to the 1890s, when department store magnate Timothy Eaton purchased much of Peter Shaver's farmland here in order to set up a dairy farm on site. Eaton did so because he was frustrated with city dairies not providing him with enough cream for his store's soda fountains. The milk his cows produced also ended up supplying his grocery department and restaurants. The farm grew in size throughout the early 1900s, with meat and vegetable production also happening on site. Eaton donated a section of the land for the local school, which was re-named 'Eatonville' in his honour in 1918. Though the original school no longer exists, the Eatonville name lives on in this newer school constructed in 1955 near the site of the old one, and is one of the few remaining community buildings with this moniker.
Accessibility information: All points of interest on this stroll are viewable from the street. Some of the amenities in Christ The King Park and Broadacres Park require crossing grassy areas for access.
The StrollTO itineraries may follow routes that do not receive winter maintenance. Please review winter safety tips and for more information contact 311.
Soundtracks of the City
From global superstars to local favourites and ones to watch, the Soundtracks of the City playlists all feature artists who have called Toronto home. Whether it’s a lyric about the neighborhood, an artist representing a cultural community, or a tie-in to the StrollTO itinerary itself, all the music reflects connections to an individual ward or the City as a whole.
Music was chosen based on an artist’s Spotify presence and each song’s broad appeal, as well as its associations with the cultures, languages and ethnicities that reflect Toronto’s neighborhoods and diverse music scene. Soundtracks of the City combines 425 songs that feature more than 500 different local artists or acts, showcasing songs in 23 different languages.