MARKHAM – With its abundance of lush green spaces, the northern portion of historic Unionville – located just southwest of the intersection of 16th Avenue and Kennedy Road – is arguably at its best around this time of year, as the area’s many well-aged trees prepare to embrace the warmth and sunshine of another spring.
Those trees are just one visible component of Unionville’s colourful history, a narrative that began at the turn of the 19th century and would go on to involve the contributions of many well-known icons such as William Berczy and Frederick Varley. Along with its safe, quiet streets and exceptional nearby schools, Unionville’s well-preserved heritage is a major reason it has become a highly sought-after neighbourhood for home buyers from all over Greater Toronto.
It’s also a neighbourhood that puts its residents within just a short walk, drive or bike ride of some of York Region’s most underrated attractions. This week, we decided to take a closer look at a few of our favourites.
Historic Main Street Unionville
Long regarded as a York Region favourite for patios and people-watching, Main Street Unionville truly comes alive during the summertime – with nightly live music complementing the street’s casually elegant dining spots, including favourites like Il Postino Ristorante and Five Lamps Chophouse and Tavern.
This historic strip, largely comprised of heritage buildings, has also been home to the annual Unionville Festival – a large multi-day showcase of vendors, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities – for 45 years and counting. One of the street’s heritage buildings, the Stiver Mill, also hosts a popular Farmer’s Market every Sunday during the growing season.
Toogood Park Pond
Originally created in 1839, when early residents dammed Bruce Creek to power a local grist mill, Toogood Pond has long been among Unionville residents’ favourite destinations for a relaxing afternoon outdoors – especially during the winter months, when it freezes over and transforms into a popular outdoor skating rink. During the summer, the pond becomes a hotbed of local wildlife, from turtles and fish to myriad bird species and, notably, large flocks of Canada Geese.
The pond, which is located just a short distance north of Main Street Unionville (and can be seen clearly from a portion of Carlton Road), provides the southernmost focal point of Toogood Park Pond. Branching out northward from the pond itself, a scenic network of ravine trails extends nearly all the way to the intersection of 16th Avenue and Village Parkway.
Crosby Memorial Community Centre
Open to the community since 1928, the 79’-by-185’ rink of the Crosby Memorial Arena (located at the northern terminus of Main Street Unionville) currently serves as home ice for both the Unionville Figure Skating Club and the Unionville Minor Hockey Association.
The arena is at the heart of a bustling facility that also features a licensed event space on the second level. Outside, the adjacent Crosby Park is home to one of Markham’s most popular baseball/softball diamonds – complete with bleachers, outfield fences, and floodlights.
Interested in purchasing a home in Unionville? We invite you to register for LiVante Developments’ upcoming release of ravine-backing single family homes near 16th Avenue and Kennedy Road – you’ll be among the first to receive project details, including location and pricing, as soon as they are released.