Overview
Smithfield, in Toronto’s northwest corner, is bordered by the Humber River Valley and home to Humber College and Etobicoke General. It has a strong newcomer community and recently got a boost with the $10M North Kipling School and Community Centre.
History
Smithfield, named after 1830s landowner Robert Smith, centered around a church he helped establish at Albion and Martin Grove. By 1874, the community revolved around the Smithfield school on Albion Road. Though the original school closed in 1954, a new one opened in the 1960s on Mount Olive Drive, where the original School Section #7 plaque still hangs today.
Lifestyle
Shoppers World Albion at Albion and Kipling is a big indoor mall with a department store, supermarket, and a mix of chain and local shops. Around Smithfield, you’ll also find smaller plazas. Up on Highway 27 north of Finch, there’s a retail strip with big box stores, a garden centre, car dealership, discount mall, bingo hall, and the Albion Flea Market with over 400 vendors.
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Homes
Most of Smithfield’s homes were built in the ’60s to ’80s, with a few newer ones near Finch and Highway 27. You’ll find bungalows, split-levels, and two-storey detached homes on good-sized lots, plus plenty of townhouses, apartment buildings, and a few condos near Kipling and Rowntree.
Recreation
Smithfield locals can enjoy the West Humber Trail—a scenic, 9 km paved path that runs from Albion Road to Finch, perfect for walking or biking. Nearby, the Humber Arboretum is a must-see, with beautiful gardens, a rose-covered hillside, and over 100 types of Rhododendrons and Azaleas.
For indoor rec, residents have great spots like Smithfield Community School, Albion Pool & Health Club, and Humberwood Community Centre.
Transportation
Smithfield has solid bus service on main and side streets, with routes connecting to both the Yonge-University and Bloor-Danforth subway lines. Highway access is easy too—Highway 27 runs through the area, and the 401 is close by with ramps at Kipling, making it simple to get around the city.
Smithfield Stats
Neighbourhood content from neighbourhoodguide.com