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Coordinates:43°42′47″N79°20′02″W/ 43.713°N 79.334°W/43.713; -79.334
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Flemingdon Park
Neighbourhood
Aerial view of Flemingdon Park in 2023
Aerial view of Flemingdon Park in 2023
Coordinates:43°43′10″N79°20′20″W/ 43.71944°N 79.33889°W/43.71944; -79.33889
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
CityToronto
Municipality established1850York Township
Changed municipality1922North Yorkfrom York Township
Changed municipality1998Torontofrom North York
Government
•MPMichael Coteau(Don Valley East)
•MPPAdil Shamji(Don Valley East)
•CouncillorJon Burnside(Ward 16Don Valley East)

Flemingdon Park(locally Flemo) is a neighbourhood inToronto,Ontario,Canada, located in the city'sNorth Yorkdistrict. It is part of the Don Valley East federal and provincial electoral districts, and Ward 26: Don Valley East (South) municipally. In 2011, its population was 22,205.[1]The average income was $66,784.[2]

It is bordered on the north byEglinton Avenue East,on the west by theDon River(west branch), and on the east and south by the Don River (east branch). The two branches of the river join at the neighbourhood's southwest corner. The south border is a parkland access road that used to be known as Old Lawrence Avenue. Flemingdon Park is separated from neighbouring communities by river valleys on three sides, and a light industrial area, now mostly used as corporate offices, next to several railway lines on the north side.

The community is named after its original owner,Robert John Fleming,theMayor of Torontoin 1892–1893 and 1896–1897, and the nearby Don River.

History

[edit]
The Donlands farm, in present-day Flemingdon Park, 1925. The property was owned by formerMayor of Toronto,Robert John Fleming.

Flemingdon Park was built on farmland owned by Robert John Fleming. After his death in 1925, it was sold to becomepublic land.

In 1958, following the trends of many other post-World War IIcities, Toronto began to consider a large planned "apartment city" community for the 1950s population boom and influx ofimmigrants.Although there was immediate scepticism about the density of the development, the community was nevertheless built.[3]Occupancy of the new apartments began in 1961,[4]and the community was completed in the early 1970s. The community's developer wasOlympia and York.

On September 26, 1969, theOntario Science Centreopened to the public. It was a major tourist attraction in Toronto before permanently closing in June 2024.[5]Several commercial high rise buildings were developed in the late 20th century in Flemingdon Park including Foresters Tower, a 23-story high-rise, two 14-storey high-risesICICI BankTower &De BeersTower. Three residential high rise towers located next to the golf course were built in 1990.[6]Sony Music CanadaandIntel Corelater acquired the two buildings as its functioning head office.[7]

In 1969, theOntario Science Centrewas opened in Flemingdon Park.

Like many communities with a significantpublic housingcomponent, Flemingdon Park has gained a reputation as a working-class community. New development has come, directed at higher-income residents, built mostly along the Don River ravines on the edges of Flemingdon Park. In 2000, this included the addition of a new section of middle-class single and semi-detached housing, and a luxury condominium apartment called "Tribeca", converted from an office building that was originally part of the Foresters complex, along the community's north side.[6]Townhomes were along the community's east border, in a narrow strip between theDon Valley Parkwayand the Don River (east), overlooking the Don Valley, located next to Flemingdon Park Golf Club.[8]

In July 2006, 17-year-old Omar Wellington was beaten and murdered by a couple of young men.[9]This rattled the neighbourhood's residents.[9]

Rochefort Drive has been subject to a number of gang-related shootings and stabbings, instilling fear on residents that live on the low-income block, as well as neighbouring homes and commercial buildings on Ferrand Drive.[10][11]

A new condo development called Sonic consists of two high-rise buildings of 28 and 30 storeys in height and also includes four-storey townhomes. Due to the development's proximity to Rochefort Drive, which is a low-income block of Flemingdon Park south of the condominiums, it has made the purchase of Sonic suites undesirable.

TheLine 5 Eglinton,a light rapid transit line, is expected to open in 2024 with three stops in Flemingdon Park. It will connect the neighbourhood to theLine 1 Yonge–Universitysubway and toScarborough Town Centre.Plans are being made for a large land development at the 24-hectare former Celestica site at Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue to house thousands of people in eight condo towers, and open new offices and shops.[12]

On October 12, 2021,Metrolinxunveiled the interior design of theScience Centre Station,located at Don Mills and Eglinton as part of theLine 5 EglintonCrosstown Line. Anne-Marie Atkins, Strategic Communications Representative ofMetrolinx,said the station is "90 percent complete".[13]

Science Centre Stationfeatures a main concourse, as well as an underground concourse with red tiling at platform level.

Redevelopment

[edit]

Since April 2017, plans to build an additional apartment to the existing 25 Saint Dennis Drive apartment by Preston Group was underway and later approved by theCity of Toronto.Residents have continued to advocate against the redevelopment, which includes a 37-storey residential building, on the premise that residents were not adequately consulted with.[14]

Celestica's manufacturing plant, which once sat at 844 Don Mills Road, was demolished in late 2018 to make way forCrosstownby developers Aspen Ridge homes. The site will feature a 100,000 square-foot recreation centre, townhomes, over a dozen luxury condominium suites, and retail spaces.[15]

Demographics

[edit]
Flemingdon Park Golf Course overlooking Palisades Condos

Traditionally, the neighbourhood served as affordable housing for new immigrants to Canada. Today, the neighbourhood's population is mainly immigrants, who accounting for approximately two-thirds of residents (Canada 2011 Census). Though quite diverse in composition, the majority of immigrants originate from South Asia, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Western Europe (Census 2006, Census 2011). Statistics Canada 2011 census has reported that the population of Flemingdon Park consists of residents born in various places around the world, including Greeks, Pakistanis, Filipinos and Sri Lankans.[16]

Community Housing Buildings

[edit]

Flemingdon Park is heavily saturated with developments and housing projects that are under the ownership of theToronto Community Housing Corporation.The buildings include:

1, 4, 6 and 8 Vendome Place; 61 and 58 Grenoble Drive, 18, 20 and 22 Saint Dennis Drive.

The buildings were constructed in the early 1960s, and were designed by Irving Grossman. The buildings are made ofbrick and mortar.Due to its long-standing status in the community, these buildings are slated for demolition in coming years.

Residents over the years have reported "deplorable" living conditions, according to articles from theToronto Star[17]Leaky roofs, damaged windowmeshand unsecure entrances are some of the problems reported.

In 2016, Flemingdon Park went under a series of restoration projects that were intended to prolong the longevity of its community housing buildings. The projects include new fencing alongside apartment units on 1 Vendome Place, as well as the replacement of roofing. Additionally, the Toronto Community Housing Corporation expended funds to restore and renovate its on-site basketball court, located around housing units at 1 Vendome Place; ultimately, its basketball fencing was replaced, picnic bench fixtures were added, and LED lighting was installed around the court to promote safety.

Crime

[edit]

Flemingdon Park houses its Community Safety Unit (CSU), operated by theToronto Police Serviceand is managed by two Neighbourhood Officers that overlook the neighbourhood. The Safety Unit office is located at the rear entrance of the Flemingdon Park Shopping Centre.[18]

TheToronto Community Housing Corporation,in an effort to deter crime, installed 120closed-circuit televisioncameras across Flemingdon Park's low-rise residences in 2006, at a cost of close to $1 million. While cages have been used primarily in underground parking lots to protect cameras from damage, many cameras were vandalized at the time, leaving 22 inoperable.[19]

On July 14, 2006, 17-year-old Omar Wellington, a resident of Flemingdon Park was savagely beaten and stabbed by an adolescent teen gang, stemming from retribution for Wellington not bringing a $1,500 gun back to the gang. Wellington was reportedly stabbed, tortured and beaten to death, and left to die in a ravine adjacent to the housing complex in which he lived.[20][21]

On February 10, 2010, four youths, ranging between the ages of 14 and 17, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in connection to the death of Wellington. Many witnesses, fearing their safety, did not come forward with tips to police following the stabbing.

In May 2018, Toronto Police raided a series of housing units operated by theToronto Community Housing Corporation,following a year-long investigation into drugs and firearms that were reportedly concealed in a home. Numerous individuals were arrested by theEmergency Task Force.[22]

Flemingdon Park has seen an influx of police-led raids, following mass seizures of narcotics and firearms in the area. On July 1, 2020,Toronto Policeraided a residence in the community, which led to police officers securing aGlockand a.40-calibre handgun.[23]

On July 2, 2021, around 1:00 a.m, a tripleshootingtook place in Flemingdon Park, wounding three civilians and fatally wounding another.[24]A passer-by, who was believed to have been injured in the shooting, broadcast the ordeal on social media platformInstagramin its immediate aftermath.[25]

Education

[edit]
Marc Garneau Collegiate Instituteis asecondary schoolsituated in Flemingdon Park.

Twopublicschool boardsoperate schools in Flemingdon Park, theseparateToronto Catholic District School Board(TCDSB), and thesecularToronto District School Board(TDSB).

Both TCDSB, and TDSB operate publicprimary educationinstitutions in the neighbourhood. TCDSB operates twoelementary schools,St. Augustine Secondary School, and St. John XXIII Catholic School; whereas TDSB operates three primary institutions, Gateway Public School,Grenoble Public School,and Valley Park Middle School. Gateway and Grenoble Public School provide schooling for students fromJunior KindergartentoGrade 6,whereas Valley Park offers schooling for students inGrade 7and8.Valley Park is the largestmiddle schoolin Canada, with over 1,200 students, and features a multi-sports field, completed in June 2015.

TDSB operates onesecondary schoolin the neighbourhood,Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute.Named afterMarc Garneau,the school was originally named "Overlea Secondary School" opened by theEast York Board of Education.The high school offers a "Talented Offerings for Programs in the Sciences" or TOPS program for students in the school that meet its standards. The school has more than 1500 students in Grades 9–12. It has three floors, a greenhouse and approximately 12 portable classrooms. This school is defined to have been built onNorth Yorkland as opposed toEast York,despite the majority of its student population residing inThorncliffe Park,which is anEast Yorkcommunity.

Transportation MinisterMarc Garneaumakes regular annual visits toMarc Garneau Collegiate Institute,the school in his namesake. Garneau speaks to students about his tenure in space during his 1984 mission,STS-41-G,and educates students onspace exploration.[26]

TCDSB does not operate asecondary schoolin the neighbourhood, with TCDSB secondary school students residing in Flemingdon Park attending institutions in adjacent neighbourhoods. The Frenchfirst languagepublic secular school board,Conseil scolaire Viamonde,and its separate counterpart,Conseil scolaire catholique MonAveniralso offers schooling to applicable residents of Flemingdon Park, although they do not operate a school in the neighbourhood. CSCM and CSV students attend schools situated in other neighborhoods in Toronto.

Places of worship

[edit]

Flemingdon Park is home to several buildings of worship; primarily three churches and twomusallahs,which are centrally located around many highrise buildings. The places of worship in the community share a wide array of services, and the physical designs of each building reflect different periods in which they were constructed, including contemporary, modern andAnglican-styled designs.

The community is home to the Darul Khair Islamic Centre, which is a privately operatedmusallahlocated within 35 Saint Dennis Drive. The musallah offers Friday Prayers services, known asjummah,as well as Islamic education and schooling for the youth (madrasah), marriage counselling andnikkahservices, emotional supports, andEidPrayers (as a host venue occasionally).

In June 2021, the Darul Khair Islamic Centre was the host for a pop-upCOVID-19vaccine clinic, managed byMichael Garron Hospital.[citation needed]

The Darul Khair Islamic Centre was first established in Flemingdon Park in 2001, and is operated under the support of donations by public attendees.[27]

Following a growing demand forMuslimsin the community to attend Islamic education classes that were already full at the Darul Khair Islamic Centre, a second space was acquired with the financial assistance of the public. The space, known as the Lantern of Knowledge Academy, is located at the 29th unit of the Shopping Centre, and is slated to teach bothhifzandalim-level courses.[28]

Flemingdon Park is home to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on Ferrand Drive, which is southeast ofDon Mills RoadandEglinton Avenue.The Flemingdon Park Pentecostal Church is located across the Flemingdon Park Shopping Centre at 5 Grenoble Drive, and the Saint John XXIII Parish Community, which is situated proximal to the Pentecostal Church at 150 Grenoble Drive.

Recreation

[edit]
The Flemingdon Park branch of theToronto Public Library
Flemingdon Park Soccer field

Flemingdon Park is home to a number ofmunicipal parksincluding the Gateway Greenbelt,E.T. Seton Park,Flemingdon Park, and Linewood Lane Park. Many of these parks are situated either beneathhydro-electricpower lines, or in the ravine valley of theDon River,a waterway that splits into two parts south of the neighbourhood. The ravine system itself forms a part of the largerToronto ravine system.Ashared use pathsituated along the west Don Valley runs all the way to Downtown Toronto.[citation needed]In addition to municipal parks, a city executive 9-hole course "Flemingdon Park Golf Club" was established next to the ravine system in the early 1960s.

The neighbourhood is also home to onecommunity centre,the Dennis R. Timbrell Resource Centre. Community centres and municipal parks in Flemingdon Park are maintained by theToronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division.Other public amenities located in the neighbourhood include the Flemingdon Park branch of theToronto Public Library.

In July 2019, the City of Toronto created a motion to schedule demolition and revitalization of the Dennis R. Timbrell Recreation in 2025. The motion was passed to conform with the idea of accommodating the growing community's need for a larger community space. Resultatively, the Don Mills Community Centre, which is pending construction on the north-west corner of Don Mills and Eglinton, will serve as the community's new hub in lieu of Dennis R. Timbrell Recreation Centre.

In the early 1970s, aMcDonald'swas introduced to Flemingdon Park, being situated on the east facade of the Flemingdon Plaza. In 1996, the restaurant was demolished and relocated to the northeast corner of the plaza property, across from the 200 Gateway Boulevard residence.[29][better source needed]

In 2010, Flemingdon Park began major revitalization of itshydro fieldand corridor to build a multi-purpose set of fields for various sports. The hydro field now houses several baseball diamonds, a 1000-metre running track and a cricket field. A wheelchair-accessible ramp was also built to make accessibility to the Angela James Arena easier. Prior to the building of the ramp, a large hill of grass was the only method of gaining access to Flemingdon's northern side.[30][better source needed]

Commerce

[edit]
Flemingdon Park Shopping Centre

Flemingdon Park houses two strip mall properties; the Flemingdon Shopping Centre, and the Dongate Plaza, which rests proximal to Don Mills Road. Flemingdon Shopping Centre is the anchor mall, which rests upon a parcel of land under the address 747 Don Mills Road, and is home to major retailers and eateries.

Transportation

[edit]
Eglinton AvenueEast in Flemingdon Park
Don Mills Roadis a major thoroughfare that runs north–south in Flemingdon Park.

Three major roadways pass through Flemingdon Park, including theDon Valley Parkway,a major north–southcontrolled access highway,and Eglinton Avenue, a major east–west thoroughfare that also marks the neighbourhood's northern boundary.Don Mills Roadis another major north–south thoroughfare, that splits the neighbourhood into two halves, with the more developed portion of the neighbourhood to the east, and the ravine system to the west of the roadway.

Public transportation in the neighbourhood is provided by theToronto Transit Commission(TTC). TheToronto Transit Commissionis responsible for providing transit to Flemingdon Park. Operating the 100 Flemingdon Park route, it connects residents to bothBroadview StationandEglinton Station.The 100 Flemingdon Park route connects with other routes, such as the 25 Don Mills Line at Don Mills Road and Overlea Boulevard.

The TTC operates severalbus routesin the neighbourhood. In addition, the TTC plans to openLine 5 Eglinton,alight railline to be operated as a part of theToronto subwaysystem. Line 5 is expected to open in 2024, with three stops planned in Flemingdon Park:Aga Khan Park & Museum stop,Science Centre station,andWynford stop.All stops and stations are situated along the northern boundary of the neighbourhood, along Eglinton Avenue.

In 2031, the light metroOntario Linewill open two elevated stations in the neighborhood: one at the Science Centre station, creating a transfer with Line 5 Eglinton, and one simply called Flemingdon Park located south of that on Don Mills Road at Gateway Boulevard. This new line will connect Flemingdon Park with theDowntown Torontoas well as locations such asExhibition Place,while also providing links toLine 1 Yonge-UniversityandLine 2 Bloor-Danforth.

Fleet trial in Flemingdon Park

[edit]

In April 2021, theToronto Transit Commission(TTC) began trialing a new bus fleet on its 100 Flemingdon Park route, among other routes acrossTorontothat is all-electric. The commission ordered 30 Proterra Catalyst BE40 buses, and operated a select number on various routes, including Flemingdon Park's transportation system.[31]

[edit]

"Flemingdon Park" was a recurring parody soap opera sketch onNightcap,CBC Television's late-night satirical sketch shop in the 1960s, which described that neighbourhood as "A cesspool of desire in the heart of suburbia".[32]In 1967, the sketch was spun-off as a six-part series on CBC Television.

The community is often represented in music videos byKardinall Offishall,who once lived in the community during his youth and teen years. In Offishall's 2010 song,The Anthem,Flemingdon Park ( “Flemo”, locally) makes several cameos, paying homage to his birthing community in which he grew up.[33][better source needed]

In 2002, theNational Film Board of Canadareleased an hour-long documentary of Flemingdon Park calledFlemingdon Park: The Global Village.The documentary was directed by Andrew Faiz, and features recollections, interviews and accounts of residents' experiences growing up in the community.[34]

In April 2018, Flemingdon Park madeCityNewsheadlines for its newly founded initiative,Friends of Flemingdon Park.[35][better source needed]The group, founded by numerous residents of Flemingdon Park, aimed to improve youth engagement and dialogue around community issues and promote the betterment of the community.

In local culture

[edit]

Landmarks inFlemingdonPark are assigned distinct names to refer to the visual representation of a site or phenomenon in the community, or used for the sake of itsverbiagein lieu of its official name of identity.

For instance, Vantage Towers, located at 35 Saint Dennis Drive, is known colloquially as the Banana Building, due to the building's curved design and two-tone yellow paint that resembled abanana.However, in early 2020, the building was repainted by its current landlord,Starlight Investments,citing substantive repairs that were done to bring the building up to code.[36]

KIDS ONLY Playground refers to the decommissioned playscape that lies between two housing units on 58 Grenoble Drive.[37]Its official name is the 'TCHC Playground', which is overlooked by theToronto Community Housing Corporation.

Tuck Shop refers to a concealed, family-operatedconvenience storethat rests on the first floor of 12 Saint Dennis Drive.[38]

The Centre commonly refers to Flemingdon Park's recreation and community centre, officially known as theDennis R. Timbrell Recreation Centre,located at 29 Saint Dennis Drive.

The Circle often refers to the P-shaped,cul-de-sac-style roadway that loops around 1 Vendome, 6 Vendome, and 8 Vendome Place.

The Valley refers to theDon Valley RiverinEast York.

The Cage alludes to the private basketball court that is subjugated between numerous levels of compounds on Vendome Place.

Paradise is shortened forPlayground Paradise,and often mistakenly (and interchangeably) calledParadise Playground,the community centre located at 150 Grenoble Drive.

The Bridge has dual meanings, with one referring to the Charles H. Hiscott Bridge (sometimes called the 'Overlea Bridge'). The Bridge can also refer to the Spanbridge, adjacent to Playground Paradise.

Notable residents

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Social Profile #1 Age & Gender".2011 City of Toronto Neighbourhood Profiles Flemington Park (44).Toronto: City of Toronto. p. 2.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2012-10-22.Retrieved2013-10-26.
  2. ^"Statistics Canada".Statistics Canada 2011.RetrievedApr 7,2016.This information is only for part of this neighbourhood, since for census purpose areas are subdivided into census tracts. The number of the census tract is 5350260.03
  3. ^"Toronto Map - Toronto Neighbourhood Guide".www.torontoneighbourhoods.net.Archived fromthe originalon 2020-06-03.Retrieved2020-06-03.
  4. ^"NFB documentary,Flemingdon Park: The Global Village,2002 ".
  5. ^CBC News (June 21, 2024)."Ontario Science Centre to close immediately: province".CBC News.
  6. ^ab"Condos for Sale in Toronto".Condos.ca.
  7. ^"Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc - North York, ON - 150 Ferrand Dr | Canpages".
  8. ^"Flemingdon Park Golf Club".flemingdonparkgolfclub.com/.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-07-05.Retrieved2014-07-15.
  9. ^ab"Slayings rattle Flemingdon Park's outward calm".
  10. ^"2 men shot, 1 in life-threatening condition, after daylight shooting in North York".Global News.
  11. ^"Teen shot multiple times in Flemingdon Park parking garage".toronto.citynews.ca.
  12. ^Toronto, Posted (August 6, 2014)."Plan proposing condos, shops at site of Celestica plant in Don Mills faces city hall resistance | National Post".National Post.
  13. ^"Sneak Peek at the Eglinton Crosstown LRT"– via www.youtube.com.
  14. ^Vincent, Donovan (25 November 2020)."Flemingdon Park residents fear planned highrises will cause overcrowding and displace 'vulnerable communities'".The Toronto Star.
  15. ^"Crosstown Condos".3 May 2019.
  16. ^Statistics Canada,2011 Census, Data for Census Tract 5350260.03
  17. ^Davis, Stephen Spencer (30 August 2015)."Leaky roofs just the beginning of troubles at TCHC building".The Toronto Star.
  18. ^"Toronto Police Service:: To Serve and Protect".
  19. ^"Professor Carl James on breaking the cycle of violence in Toronto's Flemingdon Park neighbourhood".5 August 2010.
  20. ^"CityNews".toronto.citynews.ca.
  21. ^"Youths plead guilty in 2006 teen beating death | CBC News".
  22. ^"Man released after police search 2 homes in Flemingdon Park weapons probe | CBC News".
  23. ^Lavoie, Joanna (July 4, 2020)."Toronto man arrested in Flemingdon Park had concealed loaded gun: police".Toronto.com.
  24. ^"One person dead following triple shooting in Flemingdon Park".CP24.July 2, 2021.
  25. ^@FullyVaxxedDude (2 July 2021)."#Flemopark #Toronto #Vendome #TPS..."(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  26. ^"Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute".schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca.
  27. ^"About Darul Khair – Darul Khair Islamic Center".Archived fromthe originalon 2018-07-03.
  28. ^Musalla, Flemingdon."About".
  29. ^"Flemingdon Plaza, Toronto".Pinterest.
  30. ^"110 Grenoble Dr, North York, ON M3C 3E7, Canada".google.com.
  31. ^"Toronto Transit Commission 3725-3749".cptdb.ca.
  32. ^Peredo, Sandra."Nightcap | Maclean's | December 17, 1966".Maclean's | The Complete Archive.Archived fromthe originalon 2021-04-14.Retrieved2021-04-14.
  33. ^"Kardinal Offishall - The Anthem"– via www.youtube.com.
  34. ^"Flemingdon Park: The Global Village"– via www.nfb.ca.
  35. ^"Friends of Flemingdon Park working to help community"– via www.youtube.com.
  36. ^"Vantage Towers - Toronto, ON".Yelp.
  37. ^"Google Maps".Google Maps.
  38. ^"St Dennis Tuck Shop 12 St Dennis Dr North York, ON Variety Stores".www.mapquest.com.
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