East Woodbridge, Vaughan Neighbourhood Guide: A Diverse, Vibrant Community

A record-breaking roller-coaster and a world-class shopping centre attract millions of international and local visitors each year. Additionally, with its easy access to Highway 400, plentiful parks, and relaxed, culturally diverse neighbourhoods, East Woodbridge is an appreciable investment or primary residence destination. The construction of a world-class subway extension in 2017 linking Woodbridge with Toronto, further adds to the allure of this community.

In 1802, Jacob Phillips and Hugh Cameron bought land in Woodbridge that was subsequently developed by Rowland Burr in 1837. The industrious Burr helped construct a  textile mill, sawmill, and flour mill, transforming this farmland into a bustling settlement.

Originally named Burwick, this community was renamed Woodbridge to avoid any confusion at the post office with the other Burwick in Canada.

A historical enclave, Woodbridge gets its unique name from the multiple wooden bridges that were erected across the Humber River streams and tributaries within the area.  

In the 1950s, many Italian Canadians relocated to Woodbridge from communities like Little Italy in Toronto. This fuelled the repurposing of the land into residential neighbourhoods. Today, Woodbridge is home to the largest population of Italian residents in Canada but is also home to many other ethnicities, including Russian, Polish, and Jewish residents.

Since the 1950s, East Woodbridge has blossomed into an affluent community. The majority of homes here are well-appointed, detached houses in affluent and picturesque neighbourhoods. However, you’ll also find two- and three-bedroom townhomes and condominium apartments, providing an entry point into the neighbourhood.

While you might not think of Woodbridge as a hotbed for arts and culture, several art galleries find their niche here. They include Kipling Gallery, which exclusively exhibits original art from many Greater Toronto Area (GTA) artists. Broadway Fine Arts explores 1,000+ artists from Old Masters to contemporary artists.

You’ll also find festivities like the annual Woodbridge Fair Demolition Derby. An outpouring of soccer fans flooded Market Lane Shopping Centre in 2021 after Italy won Euro 2020.

Notable figures in Toronto’s cultural climate have made their home in Woodbridge, including former Ontario Premier Mike Harris and Elizabeth Arden, the founder of the cosmetic company of the same name.

Weston Road is a major thoroughfare running north and south through this community. Featuring an assortment of restaurants, independent retailers, bakeries, and produce outlets, this corridor is home to Woodbridge Square.

This mall, in the heart of Woodbridge at Highway 7 and Weston Road, features boutique shopping and a plethora of restaurants, services, and convenience stores.

Further east, at Highways 7 and 400, you’ll find theatres, Costco, Fortinos, The Home Depot, and Ikea. In the same area, you’ll find the Walmart Supercentre for convenient shopping.

For outlet shopping with the hopes of snagging a bargain, Vaughan Mills features a range of retailers boasting high-end outlet stores. You’ll find Nordstrom Rack, Calvin Klein Outlet, Armani Exchange Outlet, and Hugo Boss Factory Store. Entertainment attractions like the Legoland Discovery Centre are also popular at the mall.

Woodbridge is a hotbed for enticing culturally diverse cuisine, catering to the neighbourhood’s multicultural demographics. If you drive along Weston Road, you’ll find numerous eateries from high-end dining to cafés. The popular chain restaurant Taste of Hakka is at Major Mackenzie Drive and Weston Road.

La Parrilla on Weston Road features Argentinian BBQ in a snug eatery. Catering to the large Italian population here, Zafferano Ristorante on Weston Road is a family-run eatery offering classic Italian recipes.

You’ll also find conventional eateries like Swiss Chalet, McDonald’s, and Pizza Nova along the Weston Road corridor for a less expensive but still enjoyable meal.

This community offers the suburban benefit of plentiful green space. In fact, East Woodbridge has 17 parks, ranging from small neighbourhood playgrounds to larger parks containing multiple facilities. 

Giovanni Caboto Park on Matthew Drive, Rose Mandarino Park on Green Park Boulevard, and Belair Way Park on Belair Way feature many amenities. There are tennis courts, basketball courts, ball diamonds, bocce greens, and soccer fields for maximum outdoor fitness enjoyment on summer days.

Observing wildlife and enjoying an annual Maple Syrup Festival are close at hand at the Kortright Centre for Conservation. This 325-hectare natural space features a scenic spot for nature strolls. To gain more insight into this oasis and its abundant wildlife and habitat, the centre offers leading-edge educational programs and events.

This family-friendly community is well served by several community centres located in the neighbourhood. Chancellor Community Centre on Ainsley Grove Road, west of Highway 400, houses a library, a gym, a pool, and an outdoor skating rink. 

Vellore Village Community Centre, near Major Mackenzie Drive West and Weston Road, features a fitness centre, outdoor rink, a pool, a gym, and a library that opened in 2018. The high numbers of seniors in Woodbridge appreciate the seniors’ events and activities that run out of the centres.

Recreation in the form of thrilling roller-coasters is available at the landmark Canada’s Wonderland, near Jane Street and Major Mackenzie Drive West. This quintessential amusement park, which opened in 1981, features the Yukon Striker, a record-breaking roller- coaster, along with a popular water park for hot summer days. Live entertainment and special events also provide a jam-packed day of fun.

In 2017, the TTC opened the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station on Highway 7, with trains running downtown on the Yonge-University-Spadina line in about an hour.

Most of the residents who live in East Woodbridge will take nearby Highway 400 southbound to connect with the 400 series of highways, which lead to downtown Toronto and nearby communities. Highway 407 also offers a direct route across the GTA. The trip downtown will take about 35 minutes.

Additionally, GO Transit operates bus service to Yorkdale Mall and East Gwillimbury GO Station from the park and ride at Major Mackenzie Drive West and Highway 400. To reach other areas of the GTA, the Maple and Rutherford GO Stations operate trains into the city.

In the 1950s, many Italian Canadians emigrated to the suburbs of Woodbridge from Toronto. Today, this vibrant, multicultural community is a hub for world-class shopping and also attracts international visitors to the landmark Canada’s Wonderland.

East Woodbridge is an ever-changing community that’s continuing to improve as seen in the new modernized transit system.