Smithfield-Clairville, Etobicoke Neighbourhood Guide: Welcome The Neighbours

The Smithfield-Clairville neighbourhood in Etobicoke is an exceptional home for many new Canadians who enjoy city living. Resources and amenities in the area provide residents with everything they need. The neighbourhood’s borders are Steeles Avenue West to the north, Kipling Avenue on the east, Finch Avenue West to the south, and the Claireville Reservoir on the west, with the Humber River weaving around the area’s edges. 

Smithfield gains its name from Robert Smith, a significant landowner in the area from the 1830s. Smith became a community icon with his land donation for the first community church, Smithfield Church. The church was taken down in 1873, and the community then centred around the Smithfield School, a two-room schoolhouse, until its closing in 1954. When residential development began in the 1960s, a new Smithfield School was opened and included a plaque in the foyer from the original building. 

Clairville, also known as “Claireville,” was formerly a village established in 1850. It was built on land owned by Jean du Petit Pont de la Haye, who named it after his daughter, Claire Elizabeth. The former village has since been split between Etobicoke and Brampton.

Homes in Smithfield-Clairville are mainly from residential developments in the 1960s to 1980s. Houses tend to have concrete and clay brick exteriors in detached or semi-detached, split-levels, two-storeys, and bungalows. There are also many private and subsidized townhouses and high-rise apartments, with some high-rise condominiums on Kipling Avenue. Most homes in the Clairville section have been demolished because proximity to highways and the Toronto Pearson International Airport has made it undesirable for residents and ideal for industrial complexes. 

Smithfield-Clairville is home to many new Canadians from Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. As a result, the Rexdale Community Hub (RCH) provides essential assistance and connectivity to residents. As a pillar for the community, they offer services like childcare, healthcare, education, recreation, and assist with job hunting, housing, and legal concerns. 

The programs RCH offers aim to help residents adjust to a new country and stay safe. Their Public Legal Education and Settlement Services programs give vital information regarding bureaucratic forms and systems, citizenship, and language instruction. Services for women include Violence Against Women and Crisis Intervention alongside short-term counselling. 

The RCH has a Collaborative Food Program, ensuring children and youth within the hub and its partner agencies are served meals weekly to promote healthy growth and development. They also host a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) club for students to have participant learning experiences, take educational trips, and meet industry professionals. 

Residents of Smithfield-Clairville have many options for various shopping needs. The Albion Mall at Albion Road and Kipling Avenue is a longstanding indoor mall that features Canadian Tire, Shoppers Drug Mart, No Frills, LCBO, clothing stores, take-out restaurants, phone services, and more. Albion Cinemas within the mall have operated for over 50 years and are well known for showing Bollywood, Indian, and Asian films. 

The local Dr. Flea’s Flea Market at Highway 27 and Albion opens every weekend with over 400 retailers. Other shopping complexes in the area line the streets of Highway 27, Steeles Avenue West, Finch Avenue West, and Albion.

Dine-in and take-out restaurants pepper the neighbourhood throughout. One concentrated area for dining is the Shops At Albion plaza at Albion and the 27, featuring Focaccia’s Italian Eatery, Zaiqa Restaurant & Sweets, Crispy Restaurant & Catering, and multiple fast-food franchises. Finchwood Plaza at Finch and the 27 is home to Punjabi Chaap Corner Etobicoke, Wok of Asia, Warraich Meats, and more franchise restaurants. 

Smithfield-Clairville is teeming with parks and green spaces. A popular spot in the area is the West Humber Parkland and its trail, accessible from numerous sites around the neighbourhood. The trail is 19 kilometres and is ideal for walking, hiking, cycling, and mountain biking at any skill level. 

The trail also leads to the Humber Arboretum, a large public botanical garden and conservation area that serves as an education centre for field trips, Humber College programs, and gardening and beekeeping workshops. It features ornamental gardens, a hillside of roses, and over 100 species of flowering rhododendrons and azaleas. 

In 1957, a flood control dam built on the west branch of the Humber River created the Claireville Reservoir, located on the west side of the neighbourhood. The dam’s creation also led to the establishment of the Claireville Conservation Area, a gigantic natural and forested area that touches the borders of Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, and Vaughn. The park is perfect for walking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, bird watching, and geocaching.

Smaller pedestrian parks sprinkle the area, including Royal Crest Park, with a playground, seasonal outdoor skating rink, and tennis courts. Masseygrove Park off Martin Grove Road features sports fields, basketball courts, and a playground.

Families in Smithfield-Clairville enjoy a variety of recreational options within the neighbourhood. Both Smithfield Community School on Mount Olive Drive and Elmbank Community Centre in Masseygrove Park offer after-school programs and day camps for children and youth. 

The Humberwood Centre is a complex encompassing a Toronto Public Library (TPL) branch, daycare centre, and Humberwood Community Centre. TPL locations around the city have regular programs for all ages. The Humberwood Community Centre features a triple gym space, great hall, and recreational programs for kids and adults. 

For swimming, residents can visit the Albion Pool and Health Club, the Humber Community Pool, or venture out of the neighbourhood on the other side of the Clairville reservoir to Wet‘n’Wild Toronto. Wet‘n’Wild is an outdoor waterpark with a wave pool, lazy river, four-lane zip-line, numerous water slides, and two kids’ splash areas.

Highway 27 runs through the neighbourhood and affords residents easy access to the 401 and other connecting highways. The 427 and 407 are also very close by, and with such a connected location, travel into Downtown Toronto should take around 30 minutes by car.

TTC bus routes service the area along major roads and some secondary streets, which connect travellers to subways on Line 1 and 2 and Etobicoke North GO Station. In total, a trip to Union Station will take around one hour.

Smithfield-Clairville offers many conveniences to its residents and builds a welcoming and supportive community for new Canadians from all over the world. Numerous activities and spaces are available for individuals and families to ensure they feel at home.