Overview
Humber Heights sits in the scenic Humber River Valley, surrounded by rolling hills and mature trees. Humber Creek, a tributary of the Humber River, flows through the neighborhood from Sun Row Park down to the river. A pedestrian bridge on Royal York Road, across from the shopping plaza, offers a great view of the creek and ravine.
History
Humber Heights began as a Weston village settlement but was wiped out by a flood in 1852, leaving only St. Philip’s Church and Cemetery. It later became a farming community, then developed during WWI and a post-war housing boom. Humber Heights School, opened in 1921, remains a local landmark, now serving as a resource and adult education center.
Lifestyle
The shopping plaza at 1500 Royal York Road has everything you need, from a supermarket and fashion stores to a bakery, deli, drug store, and even a bike and ski shop. It also features a dry cleaner, a dollar store, a travel agency, an indoor kids’ playground, a billiard hall, and a bowling alley.
Over on Dixon Road, you’ll find a smaller retail strip with everyday essentials, including a Somali meat and grocery store and a Somali clothing boutique.
Homes
Humber Heights offers a mix of homes, from grand mansions to bungalows and split-levels. East of Scarlett Rd features charming historic homes, while the west side has 1960s back-splits and larger houses from the 1970s-90s. The area also includes the Scarlettwood apartment complex and several historic homes dating back to the 1800s.
Recreation
Humber Heights residents can enjoy the Humber River Valley trail from Raymore Park, which also memorializes 32 victims of Hurricane Hazel in 1954.
Riverlea Park hosts the Riverlea Italian Seniors Club, Elm Jr. and Sr. Club, and Toronto’s only greenhouse allotment gardens.
Transportation
The Royal York and Scarlett Road buses connect to the Bloor-Danforth subway, while the Eglinton and Lawrence buses link up with the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line.
Drivers are about five minutes from the Highway 401 on-ramp, just north of Dixon Road off Islington Avenue.
Humber Height Stats
Neighbourhood content from neighbourhoodguide.com