The Queensway, Etobicoke Neighbourhood Guide: From Farming to Fame

The Queensway has kept a low profile for many years, but with its convenient access to highways, shopping, and recreational activities, it has become a thriving community. In recent years, many movies, commercials, and television programs have been filmed here, causing the area to become a celebrity community.

The Queensway was a small farming community in the 1880s. From that time, a white, stucco cottage can still be found in a field at 694 Royal York Road. The Queensway Public School, built in 1912, contributed to the community’s development. The school was expanded in 1923, and again in 1948, following a long period of growth. In the 1960s, there was a decline in population and the school closed in 1969. It was demolished in the 1990s to build the Price Club retail complex. The Price Club helped revitalize the area, just like the school did when it was built. 

The Queensway was once Queen Street, a part of Old Toronto Street. There were three sections of this road, but Queensway was the part west of the Humber. The name was changed in 1947 to Queensway to prevent confusion when the sections were separated.

In The Queensway community, you will find yourself among quaint, market-garden cottages, townhouses, multiplexes, and frame houses that were once built for Second World War veterans. These frame houses are often used for commercials and movie productions. There are many two-bedroom, brick bungalows, and one-and-a-half storey homes with ample lots and garages

Among the variety of festivals in this community, you are guaranteed to enjoy music, fun, and community spirit. The Queensway Butter Tart Festival happens in June and is a free, one-day festival. Bakers travel to the festival to compete for the title of Toronto’s Best Butter Tart. Besides the thrill of competition, you will enjoy food trucks, a beer garden, live music, vendors, the President’s Choice SuperDogs, and a kids zone. Another festival to experience in June is the Shop the Queensway Summer Festival. Over 220 businesses participate and there is a scavenger hunt, brewery crawl, live music, entertainment, and other activities. The Queensway Baptist Church holds its annual Mid Summer’s Community Festival in July. Bring the family and immerse yourselves in games, inflatables, live music, and a tasty barbeque.

The retail district includes the Kipling Queensway Mall and the Price Club. The Kipling Queensway Mall has an exceptional Don Cherry’s Sports Grill that Don Cherry himself is known to visit. This mall is also known for its supermarket and large department store. The Price Club is the largest retailer in the area and is very popular with both local and regional guests frequenting the store. 

You will find a variety of restaurants and dining in The Queensway, including places like Starbucks and Tim Hortons. At the Kipling Queensway Mall, you will find an endless list of places to eat. Favourites like Swiss Chalet, the Mandarin, and the Spoon and Fork can be found here. Other places to dine include Paparikoo Mediterranean Cuisine, Queensway Fish and Chips, The Noble Snack, The Lime Viet and Thai Cuisine, as well as Sushi and Cantonese places.

With its open spaces and wooded areas surrounding the Humber Marshes, South Humber Park is a popular and scenic place to visit. The park connects to the Martin Goodman Trail, which travels along Toronto’s waterfront, making it a hotspot for those who love to walk, jog, walk their dogs, in-line skate and ride bikes. Queensway Park, off Avon Drive and north of the community, has a baseball diamond, tennis courts, and a playground. There is also Waterford Park, by Mimico Creek, where you will find a place to play baseball, climb on a playground, and enjoy tennis. 

Sports, scenic trails, community events, and several parks can be found in The Queensway. The parks have walking trails, baseball diamonds, and tennis courts. There are trails to ride your bike or in-line skate, as well as jogging or walking. Playgrounds can be found throughout the community. Queensway Park has an outdoor skating rink in the winter, as well as a baseball. diamond, playground, and tennis courts for the warmer months. 

If you want to watch movies, there is a Cineplex movie theatre nearby. Or you can do some shopping at the Kipling Queensway Mall or the Price Club.

Getting to the financial and entertainment district will only take you 10 minutes from The Queensway. The Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) is easily accessed from Islington Avenue. Both Royal York Road and Islington Avenue have bus services that connect to the Bloor-Danforth subway line. There is an express bus line to the Toronto Pearson International Airport and Mississauga transit service at the Islington station. 

The closest mall is only 10 minutes from the community, and you can reach a TTC Station, GO Bus or Train Station, and a hospital in 15 minutes. The Toronto Pearson International Airport is 20 minutes by car and the closest highway can be reached in 10 minutes.

The Queensway is a quiet, humble community with easy access to parks, shopping, and community activities that connect the residents. Although it started as a farming area, this community rose to fame as a desirable filming location. The Queensway community proudly takes part in recreational activities and festivals.