Willowridge-Richview, Etobicoke Neighbourhood Guide: Community Cheer

Willowridge-Richview is a quiet, laid-back community with historical roots and easy access to highways, shopping, parks and sports. Residents can work and live while never having to leave the community. Relationships are important here, and longtime residents put effort into welcoming and including newcomers in activities. Families are encouraged to spend quality time together.

Willowridge-Richview began as a successful farming community in 1802, when lots were granted to settlers. William Knaggs was one of the first settlers in the area. He built his home in 1818 near Richview Side Road (now known as Eglinton) and Red Concession (now Highway 427). By the 1830s, families settled in the area and ended up staying for generations.  The area got its first post office, called Richview, in 1852.

Richview United Church was built in 1888. It was later demolished in the 1960s and now only the cemetery remains, which can be seen from the highway. From 1838 to 1963, there were a series of schoolhouses built, including a French language Catholic school. 

Dairy farming changed in the 20th century, and by 1932 was being hauled from neighbourhood farms in Willowridge-Richview to downtown dairies. There are still a few farmhouses around from that era including the Bigham/Agar Farm, Robert Coulter House, and Andrew and Martha Coulter Farm.

You will find residential, single-family, middle-class homes here. Most of these houses have front acreages with private driveways and garages. You will see bungalows and split-level style homes, as well as high-rise apartments and condos. Street patterns consist of winding streets and cul-de-sacs. 

Longtime residents are very welcoming to newcomers. Residents join together in clubs, activities and classes. The active senior community runs events, and socials and other activities are always available. Those who live here put time and effort in community relationships and aim to spend quality time together.

The Westmount Gallery is a well-known art gallery established in 1976 that features work from Canadian artists. The Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery is located at The West Mall and worth the visit. The gallery holds art exhibitions from local and national art organizations. Promoting arts and culture in Toronto, the Neilson Park Creative Centre has arts-based learning, as well as 17 exhibitions per year, per gallery.

There are shopping plazas at many main street intersections, where you will find a variety of shops, services, and amenities. In this community, you’ll discover three Shoppers Drug Marts, 11 other pharmacies, two Metros, plus seven other grocery stores, post offices, Starbucks, and a LCBO. 

You can visit any of the many shopping centres, such as Martin Grove Plaza, Royal York Road Plaza, Richview Square and the Westway Centre.

From fast food to fine dining, you’re in luck in the Willowridge-Richview community. Besides Starbucks and Tim Hortons, you will find several fast food options in this area. If you are looking for some hearty steaks, there’s The Keg Steakhouse and Montana’s.  Restaurants like Milestones and The Cannery Kitchen and Social are also good options. For more casual dining, head over to Istar Restaurant and Banquet or Martin Grove Fish and Chips.

With almost a dozen parks in this community. Richview Park is a favourite among locals. There is also Willowridge Park, Westway Park, Westgrove Park and Stonehouse Park. Looking further, you will find Green Meadows Park, Silver Creek Park, Valley Field Park, and Redgrave Park.  Among these, you will find many playgrounds and picnic spots, two sets of trails, two outdoor pools, an outdoor dry pad and a multipurpose pad, and other sports and recreation amenities.

Being active is easy in the community of Willowridge-Richview. Sports abound with the seven baseball diamonds, 13 sports fields, 10 tennis courts, three outdoor rinks, four gyms, an outdoor track and a fitness/weights room. You’ll also find a community centre, with a room for computer training, a craft room and a preschool activity room. Hiking is available on the walking trails in the parks as well.

If you are looking to participate in a team sport, check out the Etobicoke Soccer Club. Or, if you would rather try some different recreational activities, you can contact Hilltop Community School Centre and Grounds. Here you can find programs for the arts, sports, preschool, camps, special needs, and more. If you are feeling brave you can have a go at the Go Kart track nearby.

Willowridge-Richview is south of Highway 401 and has easy access to the airport, TTC, GO Transit and major streets and highways. It has one rail transit, the Etobicoke North GO, and 142 street-level transits. The community is close to highways 401, 427, and 409. There are also many bus routes throughout the community. 

It will take you five minutes to get to a highway, 15 minutes to get to the airport, 20 minutes to get to a mall or the hospital, and 15 minutes to get to the TTC Station.

Remaining as quiet and peaceful as its early farming beginnings, the community of Willowridge-Richview continues its peaceful and friendly existence as longtime residents and newcomers bond through recreation, nature and community interaction.