Bendale, Scarborough Neighbourhood Guide: World-Class Shopping

Bendale is near the intersection of Lawrence Avenue East and Brimley Road in Scarborough and is close to major landmarks. This community also has been referred to as Cedarbrae and Midland Park. Home to the Scarborough Health Network and the Scarborough Town Centre, the enclave of residential homes, including “Ben’s Jungle,” is connected to a range of shopping, dining, and recreational venues.

This community’s intriguing original name was Benlomond, which is a mountain in the Scottish Highlands on the shore of Loch Lomond, home to the infamous Loch Ness monster. In 1881, the name was shortened to Bendale. 

Historically, this area was mostly farmland until the 1950s, when single-family housing divisions began to surface.

Bendale is a residential enclave consisting of single detached homes and apartment buildings with a relatively equal mix of both types of housing. A unique pocket of homes referred to as “Ben’s Jungle” was created by housing developer Ben Stanton. He must have had a sense of humour because many of the subdivision’s streets bear his name, such as Ben Doran and Ben Stanton Boulevards, and Benshire and Benleigh Drives. This eccentrically named neighbourhood is set off from the rest of Bendale, which lends to the distinctiveness of this community.

In this neighbourhood, you’ll find bungalows and split-level brick houses built in the 1950s and 1960s on large lots with mature trees, along with detached duplex apartment units. From apartments to detached homes, Bendale offers a comfortable way of life for many.

Scarborough pays reverence to its history with the Scarborough Museum. In the heart of Thomson Memorial Park, the museum offers a wealth of interesting historical facts and education with weekend festivals, summer evening activities, day camps, and youth programs. Here, you’ll find Indigenous gardens and murals, sample freshly baked goods, and learn how Scarborough evolved from its Indigenous roots to become the vibrant community it is today.

Scarborough Town Centre, the fourth largest shopping mall in Canada, is a landmark and the largest shopping centre in Toronto’s east end. Offering 220+ stores and services, it opened its doors in 1973 and was renovated in 2010. A new food court was added in 2016. This mall is notable for offering a diverse range of high-end and mainstream shops, department stores, and a cinema.

Lawrence Avenue is another popular shopping district, and here you’ll find the Midland Lawrence Plaza. Along Danforth Avenue, south of Lawrence Avenue is a collection of specialty shops, restaurants, and boutiques.

A popular diner in the area, the Bendale Restaurant on Lawrence Avenue is a neighbourhood favourite, featuring comfort food like club sandwiches and fish and chips. The restaurant has been a landmark in the community for decades. You can enjoy a meal on the patio and breakfast is a favourite diner special.

Nearby Progress Avenue is a corridor of multicultural eateries including Scadda Bush Italian Kitchen and The Brothers Indian Street Food. Scarborough Town Centre also includes well-known eateries, such as Milestones, Moxie’s, Swiss Chalet, and Crepe Delicious.

Thomson Memorial Park is a centre point in this community and is nestled along the banks of the West Highland Creek. The winding trails offer scenic views of the creek that meanders through the ravine. The park also features a lit ball diamond, a sports field, three lit tennis courts, outdoor fitness equipment, a wading pool, and a playground. This park is a favourite spot for picnics, and there is also a firepit for summer evening bonfires.

Amberdale Ravine Park offers scenic hiking trails and expansive greenery tucked within a busy metropolis. Other parks scattered throughout the neighbourhood include St. Andrews Park, McCowan Park (which features basketball courts and a playground), Hunters Glen Park, and Knob Hill Park on Brimley Road, which features a popular outdoor swimming pool, a wading pool, a playground, and two lit basketball courts. For nature lovers, there are also walking trails in the ravine next to West Highland Creek.

The Birkdale Community Centre on Ellesmere Road is nestled in the picturesque Birkdale ravine, and many of the community rooms face scenic views of the park and creek. A variety of fitness programs are offered at the centre, including aerobics and dance, and arts and general interest programs. If you stroll along the nearby trail on the grounds, you’ll be connected with Thomson Memorial Park.

Albert Campbell Square, an outdoor public square named after Albert Campbell, the first mayor of Scarborough, features community events, an ice rink, and a reflective pool. It is between the Scarborough Civic Centre and the Scarborough Town Centre and offers a serene spot for a summer lunch surrounded by landscaped gardens and greenery.

This area is conveniently situated in a commuter-friendly community. TTC buses run along Midland Avenue and McCowan Road connecting with the Midland and Scarborough Centre stations, which are part of the Scarborough Rapid Transit line. If you’re driving, the Highway 401 on-ramp is situated five minutes away on McCowan Road. The Scarborough GO station on Kennedy Road also operates a train and buses to the city.

This community is centred around Thomson Park, which provides a lush and scenic ravine setting for picnics and hiking. Scarborough Town Centre, the fourth largest shopping centre in Canada, is conveniently located in this neighbourhood and offers diverse amenities to residents and a spot for friends to gather.

With an equal mix of highrise apartments and detached homes, this community is a hybrid of renters and homeowners residing in a sought-after community.