Milliken Mills West, Markham Neighbourhood Guide: A Convenient Commute

Milliken Mills West sits on the border with Toronto, and Highways 404 and 407 form the northern and western boundaries of this neighbourhood. This makes Milliken Mills West the most accessible community in Markham.

This largely Asian community has influenced many Eastern-inspired grocery stores and restaurants here. The community’s close proximity to major highways is a benefit for those commuting to the city for work.

Milliken Mills West’s history dates back to 1807 when Norman Milliken a United Empire Loyalist from New Brunswick settled here. Milliken established a successful sawmill on the Little Rouge River. This community, with farming as its backbone, eventually gave way to residential development in the 1970s and 1980s.

This neighbourhood is largely comprised of commercial real estate and some light industrial buildings, retail shops, and restaurants. The residential area located in the southeast section of the neighbourhood, east of Warden Avenue, features detached homes built in the 1980s on smaller lots.

The Markham Village Music Festival is a vibrant celebration organized by the Markham Arts Council. It features pop-up art festivals on Main Street and live entertainment. During this outdoor festival, Main Street is closed off to vehicles.  

Theatre lovers are inspired by performances at Markham’s three theatres: the Markham Little Theatre, Unionville Theatre Company, and FLATO Markham Theatre. If you enjoy the symphony, the Kindred Spirits Orchestra on Highway 7 presents mesmerizing music ranging from Chopin to Handel.

Thanksgiving is a festive time in Markham. Head out to rural Markham and enjoy the annual Markham Fair! Markham offers arts and entertainment for all walks of life.

J-Town is the largest Japanese shopping mall in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).  On Steeles Avenue East, it features a medley of Asian fare. This Japan-focused shopping mall includes a grocer, a ramen restaurant, a bookstore, and more. If you’d like to experience the cultural ambience of Japan, be sure to stop by this venue.

Pacific Mall on Steeles Avenue East at Kennedy Road is also a famous Asian indoor mall. The architecture is Asian-inspired in an Eastern-market style. Shoppers will love the 100+ retail stores and restaurants featured here.

The Warden Centre on Warden Avenue is a convenient stop to complete errands. This strip mall has a grocer, a hair salon, the Toronto chain restaurant Congee, Shoppers Drug Mart, and a TD bank, among others. The popular Asian grocery store in this mall results in a very busy parking lot, with eager shoppers lining up for hard-to-find ingredients.

Small neighbourhood plazas are conveniently scattered throughout the area, including an outdoor plaza on Silver Star Boulevard. This plaza features the Toma Dance Studio, which is a street dance crew established in 2005.

This ensemble has choreographed dances in various styles, including hip hop, jazz, breaking. It has won many dance competitions in China and Canada. The plaza also features a Bobo Spa, Silver Star BBQ restaurant, a Chinese halal restaurant, and more. 

Milliken Crossing Plaza on Steeles Avenue East is a significant shopping destination for residents of this neighbourhood. Anchor stores include Shoppers Drug Mart and Tim Hortons, and there’s an ICICI Bank.

Milliken Mills West’s diverse population lends itself to a wide assortment of international cuisine. This neighbourhood is a predominantly Asian community, which results in a large assortment of Eastern-inspired restaurants.

Markham’s J-Town is the largest Japanese shopping mall in the GTA. On Steeles Avenue East, it features a medley of Asian fare. Tanuki serves Japanese versions of Western dishes and also offers outdoor seating. Other favourite eateries in this mall include Niwatei and Green Tea Lounge, serving udon favourites, and Izakaya Ju offers delicious Japanese specialties. 

Nearby 14th Avenue is a popular corridor for dining establishments. John Anderson Hamburgers has been an iconic Toronto brand for the last 42 years. It’s named after the famous Toronto hockey player, and the years haven’t tarnished the restaurant’s reputation for fabulous food.

A number of neighbourhood parks clustered mainly in the eastern section of this neighbourhood highlight the area with green space. Clark Young Woods, Riseborough Park, Highgate Park, Middleton Park, Harvest Gate Park, Miller Avenue off-leash dog park, and Milliken Mills Park and Community Centre all offer families a relaxing spot to enjoy nature.

Highgate Park, on Highgate Drive, is one of the larger community parks. This 4.4-hectare green space features a lighted baseball diamond, a playground, a soccer field, six tennis courts, and two basketball courts for the avid sports-lover.

Milliken Mills Park and Community Centre on Kennedy Road is a large 31-hectare park, which sits next to a McDonald’s restaurant and Milliken Mills High School. 

This large public green space features five lighted baseball diamonds, five soccer fields, a playground, a water park and two basketball courts. Picnic tables are scattered around the park for locals to enjoy a summertime meal.

The Milliken Mills Community Centre has been a mainstay in this community for 20+ years. It features three indoor soccer fields, along with an indoor pool with a whirlpool and sauna, a dance studio, and an ice rink with a pro shop and skate rentals.

Fitness enthusiasts will enjoy using the weights in the fitness room. Additionally, skaters can enjoy public skating, hockey skating lessons, and Learn to Skate lessons. The on-site Milliken Library offers a quiet spot for students to study.

Milliken GO Station is a transportation hub here. The GO train will take you to Union Station in 35 minutes.

If you’re driving, nearby Highways 404 and 407 form the northern and western boundaries of this neighbourhood. You can access these highways in minutes and reach downtown in about 25 minutes. They also connect with Highway 401 and outlying communities.

Milliken Mills West is nearby two major highways, which makes commuting to downtown a breeze. The residents here enjoy excellent recreational amenities. The predominantly Asian population has given rise to Eastern-inspired restaurants and shops, resulting in a wide assortment of amenities to choose from in a cross-cultural marketplace.