East Willowdale
East Willowdale is a neighbourhood in North York of about 15,000 people, next to Avondale, Bayview Village, Bayview Woods-Steeles and two other neighbourhoods. Most households own their homes. Four subway stations (Line 1 and 4) are in or next to it. Its main shopping streets are Sheppard Ave E and Willowdale Ave. It has more parks for its size than most neighbourhoods and more street trees than most.
Neighbouring areas link to their pages. City of Toronto neighbourhood boundaries and Toronto Centreline.
Boundaries: Finch Ave E to the north, Bayview Ave to the east, Sheppard Ave E to the south and Kenneth Ave, then Doris Ave to the west.
01 · What’s being built
Rank by proposals →There are 27 active planning proposals in East Willowdale, more than most neighbourhoods (20th most in Toronto). Of these, 13 are waiting for a decision and 14 are under appeal. Another one was decided recently.
Under appeal (14)
Waiting for a decision (13)
Decided recently (1)
Each proposal has its own page. All applications in progress here · Hearings and comment deadlines
City of Toronto Development Applications and Committee of Adjustment. One entry per site. Decided recently: development files submitted in the last 4 years; Committee of Adjustment decisions in the last 2 years.
Planning rules
Parts of it are in the Bayview, North York Centre and Sheppard-Yonge major transit station areas, where minimum densities are set to bring more homes and jobs near transit.
City of Toronto Heritage Conservation Districts and Major Transit Station Areas. Each address report shows the zoning for that lot.
Noise permits
In the last 12 months, 8 noise exemption permits were issued in East Willowdale: 8 for amplified sound at events.
City of Toronto Noise Exemption Permits. A permit lets an event or a construction project make noise outside the hours the noise bylaw allows. Address pages list the permits nearby that haven’t ended yet.
02 · Safety
Rank by crime →In 2025, 138 major crimes were reported in East Willowdale: 783 per 100,000 residents, 41% below the citywide rate (1,322) and the 141st highest in Toronto. Assaults and robberies were below the citywide rate. Reports fell from 230 in 2024 to 138 in 2025, mostly assaults (86 to 52) and robberies (34 to 10).
East Willowdale compared with Toronto · rate per 100,000 residents, 2025
| Major crime | Compared with the Toronto rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Break-ins | About the same199 vs 190 per 100,000 | |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 16% lower51 vs 61 per 100,000 | |
| Car thefts | 19% lower182 vs 225 per 100,000 | |
| Robberies | 27% lower57 vs 78 per 100,000 | |
| Assaults | 62% lower295 vs 768 per 100,000 |
Major crimes reported per year, by type
Change from 2021 to 2025, by type
| Major crime | 2021 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 54 | 52 | about the same |
| Car thefts | 45 | 32 | down 29% |
| Break-ins | 26 | 35 | up 35% |
| Robberies | 10 | 10 | about the same |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 5 | 9 | nearly doubled |
Other crimes, last 12 months
| Crime | Reported | Per 100,000 residents | Compared with other neighbourhoods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shootings and firearm discharges | 1 | 7 | About typical |
| Bicycle thefts | 1 | 7 | Lower than most |
| Thefts from vehicles | 29 | 187 | Lower than most |
Toronto Police Service: Shootings and Firearm Discharges, Bicycle Thefts and Theft From Motor Vehicle, last 12 months. Police place each incident at the nearest intersection.
Toronto Police Service neighbourhood crime rates: assaults, break-ins, car thefts, robberies and thefts over $5,000. Police place each incident at the nearest intersection. Address reports also count incidents within 500 m.
Traffic safety
Since 2021, five collisions in East Willowdale killed or seriously injured someone, the 36th lowest rate per resident in Toronto. Three involved pedestrians. Most were on Finch Ave E and Willowdale Ave.
Toronto Police Service: collisions in which someone was killed or seriously injured, by year. *2026 so far. Rank by serious collisions
03 · Getting around
Bayview, Finch, North York Centre and Sheppard-Yonge stations are in or near the neighbourhood (Line 1 and 4). Inside the neighbourhood, 37 TTC stops are served by the 39 Finch East, 939 Finch Express, 11 Bayview and 185 Sheppard Central buses, among others.
Stations in or near the neighbourhood
- Bayview StationLine 4
- Finch StationLine 1
- North York Centre StationLine 1
- Sheppard-Yonge StationLine 1, 4
Busiest bus routes
| Route | Weekday trips each way | Trips | Delays per 1,000 trips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 Finch East | about 163 | 4.1 | |
| 939 Finch Express | about 146 | 7.3 · high | |
| 11 Bayview | about 58 | 3.5 | |
| 185 Sheppard Central | about 56 | 2.8 | |
| 98 Willowdale-Senlac | about 52 | 4.5 |
TTC and GO schedules for a typical weekday. Trips each way: trips past the route’s busiest stop in the neighbourhood. Each route links to its TTC page (schedule and map).
Delays: incidents the TTC logged as delaying service, Sep 2025 to Sep 2026, per 1,000 scheduled trips. “High” marks the 30 routes (of 200) with the most delays per trip; a typical route has 4.0.
Parking tickets and EV charging
Busiest streets
| Street | Vehicles a day | 85% drive at or under | Counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doris Ave Spring Garden Ave to Willowdale Park Trl | 13,700 | 57 km/h | Mar 2020 |
| Willowdale Ave Church Ave to Byng Ave | 11,100 | 52 km/h | Sep 2026 |
| Finch Ave E | 8,800 | — | Apr 2021 |
| Empress Ave Doris Ave to Kenneth Ave | 4,400 | 44 km/h | Sep 2020 |
Fastest residential streets
| Street | Vehicles a day | 85% drive at or under | Counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Garden Ave Wilfred Ave to Clairtrell Rd | 2,600 | 54 km/h | Jun 2017 |
| Holmes Ave Wilfred Ave to Estelle Ave | 497 | 54 km/h | Mar 2019 |
| Hollywood Ave Highgate Ave to Estelle Ave | 1,200 | 42 km/h | Apr 2024 |
City of Toronto Traffic Volumes, counts since 2016; each street shows its highest count. “Residential” means streets the City classes as local roads. Counts are taken on different streets in different years, so they aren’t ranked.
04 · Schools and child care
Four elementary schools and one secondary school are inside the neighbourhood. St Gabriel Catholic School is the only one with Grade 6 results: it beat the Toronto average in math; it didn’t in reading (Toronto: 87% reading, 54% math). There are 12 licensed child care centres with 1,099 spaces, ten in the $10-a-day program.
Schools in the neighbourhood
Elementary schools
Share of Grade 6 students meeting the provincial standard. Toronto: 87% reading, 54% math.
Ontario Ministry of Education (2026) and EQAO. Nearest the neighbourhood’s centre first. The red tick on each bar is the Toronto average. The nearest school may not be the assigned one; check with the board.
Licensed child care (12)
- Hollywood All-Stars Child Care $10 a day
360 Hollywood Ave · infants, toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, school-age201 spaces - McKee McKids Enrichment Centre $10 a day
35 Church Ave · preschool, kindergarten, school-age166 spaces - Finch Flyers Child Care Program $10 a day
277 Finch Ave E · toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, school-age146 spaces - Willowbrae Academy Bayview Village $10 a day
432 Sheppard Ave E · infants, toddlers, preschool102 spaces - St. Gabriel's Jr YMCA $10 a day
396 Spring Garden Ave · preschool, kindergarten, school-age87 spaces
05 · Parks, trees and recreation
Rank by parks →East Willowdale has 13 parks, five of them with playgrounds: more for its population than most neighbourhoods (24th most per resident in Toronto). It has one public pool. Its streets have 7,071 City-owned trees, mostly Norway maple, silver maple and Colorado blue spruce: more per resident than most neighbourhoods (14th most per resident in Toronto). The City has eight road or sidewalk projects planned or under way here.
How much of the neighbourhood is park
| Largest parks and open spaces | Hectares |
|---|---|
| Willowdale Park | 3.6 |
| Mitchell Field Park | 1.5 |
| Parkview Park | 0.9 |
| Ring Road Linear Park | 0.8 |
| Lee Lifeson Art Park | 0.7 |
City of Toronto Green Spaces: parks, natural areas and conservation land. Hydro corridors, golf courses, cemeteries and road verges aren’t counted.
Park projects
- Willowdale Park Improvements
The City is improving Willowdale Park with proposed upgrades that include a new playground offering fun and creative play opportunities, a new fitness area, a shade structure and repairs to the tennis courts.In progress - John McKenzie Parkette Expansion
The City is expanding John McKenzie Parkette as a result of acquiring the land at 37 Norton Ave. in North York.In progress
City of Toronto Park and Recreation Facility Projects.
| Amenity | East Willowdale | Typical | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parks and play | |||
| Parks | 13 | 8 | Bayview Parkette, Empress Parkette, Empress Tot Lot and 10 more |
| Playgrounds | 5 | 5 | Empress Tot Lot, Kenneth Park, Maplehurst Park and 2 more |
| Community centres | 1 | 1 | Mitchell Field Community Centre |
| City programs at schools | 1 | — | McKee Public School |
| Splash pads | 0 | 0 | None inside East Willowdale. Nearest: Antibes Community Centre, 2.8 km away in Westminster-Branson. |
| Swimming | |||
| Public pools | 1 | 1 | Mitchell Field Community Centre |
| Wading pools | 0 | 0 | None inside East Willowdale. Nearest: Woburn Avenue Playground, 3.9 km away in Lawrence Park North. |
| Beaches | 0 | 0 | None inside East Willowdale. |
| Courts and fitness | |||
| Tennis | 0 | 1 | None inside East Willowdale. |
| Pickleball | 0 | 0 | None inside East Willowdale. Nearest: Bayview Village Park, just over the border in Bayview Village. |
| Basketball | 0 | 1 | None inside East Willowdale. Nearest: Wedgewood Park-North York, 930 m away in Newtonbrook East. |
| Outdoor fitness equipment | 0 | 0 | None inside East Willowdale. Nearest: Lord Seaton Park, just over the border in St.Andrew-Windfields. |
| Facilities | |||
| Public washrooms | 3 | 2 | Lee Lifeson Art Park, Mitchell Field Community Centre and 1 more · 1 of 3 open today |
City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Facilities, Tennis Courts, Washroom Facilities and Street Tree Data; Toronto Public Health. Typical: the median Toronto neighbourhood. Open today: as reported by the City this morning. City programs at schools run in a school’s gym or pool and aren’t counted as community centres.
06 · Homes and renovation
Rank by permits →In the last 12 months, 199 building permits were issued, about typical for a Toronto neighbourhood. Since 2021, owners have been permitted to build 33 garden and laneway suites, more than most neighbourhoods (61st most in Toronto). In all, permits have added 605 homes since 2021, about typical for a Toronto neighbourhood.
Per year. *2026 so far. New homes are added by permits, including suites and new buildings.
Green roofs and solar
Since 2010, 6 building permits in East Willowdale included a green roof, the 55th most in Toronto. Since 2009, 1 included a solar hot water system.
City of Toronto building permits for green roofs (required on larger new buildings since 2010) and solar hot water systems.
07 · Renting and housing
Rents aren’t published for single neighbourhoods. Across North York (the former City of North York), a two-bedroom in a purpose-built rental averaged $1,915 a month in October 2025, $140 less than the Toronto average. About a third of households here (30%) rent, and 43% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. There are three apartment buildings in the City’s RentSafe program, averaging 94 out of 100. There are 29 homes registered as short-term rentals, more than most neighbourhoods (53rd most in Toronto). There are no licensed rooming houses and no shelters or respite sites.
Average rents, October 2025
CMHC Rental Market Survey. CMHC doesn’t publish rents for single neighbourhoods; these cover North York (the former City of North York). Vacancy 2.6% (Toronto 2.8%). Averages include long-term tenants; new listings usually cost more.
08 · People
Rank by income →In 2021, 15,485 people lived here. The median household income was $95,000, the 40th highest in Toronto (above the typical neighbourhood’s $85,000). Among workers, 24% commute by transit, about the same as the typical neighbourhood.
15,485 residents in 2021. Most common first languages other than English and French: Mandarin 21.1%, Cantonese 11%, Iranian Persian 8.5%. 2021 Census, from the City’s Neighbourhood Profiles.
09 · Shops and services
There are 19 licensed storefront businesses, mostly salons and personal services and restaurants and bars. Most are on Sheppard Ave E and Willowdale Ave. None got a new licence in the last 90 days.
Licensed storefronts by type
- Salons and personal services7
- Restaurants and bars6
- Take-out and food shops3
- Arcades and billiards halls1
- Smoke and vape shops1
Streets with the most
- Sheppard Ave E11
- Willowdale Ave6
- Finch Ave E1
- Parkview Ave1
City business licences, storefront types only. We show operating names, never personal names.
Business improvement areas
No Business Improvement Area covers East Willowdale.
City of Toronto Business Improvement Areas.
10 · Heritage, flood risk and local contacts
East Willowdale has two properties on the Heritage Register, fewer than most neighbourhoods (54th fewest in Toronto). No part of it is in a TRCA flood or shoreline hazard area.
- Heritage
- 2 properties on the Heritage Register (1 designated, 1 listed), 54th fewest in Toronto.
- Flood and shoreline
- None of its addresses are in a TRCA flood or shoreline hazard area. A few (0%) are in TRCA’s regulated area, where some work needs a TRCA permit.
- Lead in tap water
- In M2N, 1 of 133 home tests was above Ontario’s limit (0.8%; Toronto 2.0%). None of 31 home tests in M2K were above Ontario’s limit.
- Councillor
- Lily Cheng · Ward 18 Willowdale profile
What residents report to 311
In the last 12 months, 8,062 service requests came from postal area M2N, which covers most of East Willowdale. The most common:
| Damaged bin lids | 339 | |
| Potholes and road damage | 313 | |
| Blocked sewer lines | 261 | |
| Damaged sidewalks | 247 | |
| Property standards | 239 | |
| Posters on City property | 222 |
City of Toronto 311 Service Requests, October 2025 to October 2026. 311 gives only the first three characters of the postal code, which don’t line up with neighbourhoods, so this isn’t ranked on the leaderboard.
Every figure, with ranks
| Measure | East Willowdale | Typical | Rank (1st = most) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building and change | |||
| Building permits, last 12 months | 199 | 186 | 72nd |
| Active planning proposals | 27 | 11 | 20th |
| Garden and laneway suites since 2021 | 33 | 26 | 61st |
| New homes since 2021 | 605 | 795 | 91st |
| Short-term rentals | 29 | 21 | 53rd |
| Heritage properties | 2 | 5 | 105th |
| Apartment buildings (RentSafe) | 3 | 18 | 145th |
| Safety, 2025, per 100,000 residents | |||
| Major crime, total | 783 | 1,107 | 141st |
| Assaults | 295 | 637 | 142nd |
| Break-ins | 199 | 173 | 59th |
| Car thefts | 182 | 193 | 89th |
| Robberies | 57 | 70 | 96th |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 51 | 46 | 65th |
| Other crimes, last 12 months, per 100,000 residents | |||
| Shootings and firearm discharges | 7 | 6 | 78th |
| Bicycle thefts | 7 | 31 | 144th |
| Thefts from vehicles | 187 | 212 | 95th |
| People, 2021 Census | |||
| Residents | 15,485 | 16,813 | 90th |
| Median household income | $95,000 | $85,000 | 40th |
| Households that rent | 30.2% | 45.5% | 134th |
| Renters paying 30%+ on housing | 42.6% | 39.0% | 42nd |
| Commute by transit | 23.6% | 25.8% | 101st |
| Walk or cycle to work | 4.0% | 5.3% | 102nd |
| Aged 65 and over | 17.8% | 16.3% | 51st |
| Parks, trees and streets | |||
| Serious collisions since 2021, per 10,000 residents | 3.2 | 5.1 | 123rd |
| Parks per 10,000 residents | 8.4 | 5.0 | 24th |
| Playgrounds per 1,000 children | 2.3 | 2.1 | 58th |
| Street trees per 1,000 residents | 457 | 228 | 14th |
| Affordable homes coming | 0 | 19 | 93rd |
| Road and sidewalk projects | 8 | 10 | 88th |
| Park and open space, share of land | 2.6% | 7.8% | 140th |
| Park and open space, hectares per 1,000 residents | 0.6 | 1.6 | 119th |
| Parking tickets per 1,000 residents, 2025 | 121 | 410 | 150th |
| Green roof permits since 2010 | 6 | 4 | 55th |
Source: Building permits, City of Toronto; planning applications; Short Term Rentals Registration; Heritage Register; RentSafeTO. Toronto Police Service, Neighbourhood Crime Rates. Toronto Police Service: Shootings and Firearm Discharges, Bicycle Thefts, Theft From Motor Vehicle. Statistics Canada, 2021 Census, via City of Toronto Neighbourhood Profiles. City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Facilities, Street Tree Data, Green Spaces, parking tickets, green roof permits, road and sidewalk programs, Affordable Housing Pipeline; Toronto Police Service serious collisions. Typical: the middle of Toronto’s 158 neighbourhoods; half have more, half have less. Rank: 1st is the most or highest of 158. · Download CSV
Major crime by year
| Crimes reported | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 54 | 58 | 47 | 86 | 52 |
| Break-ins | 26 | 40 | 73 | 52 | 35 |
| Car thefts | 45 | 44 | 90 | 47 | 32 |
| Robberies | 10 | 12 | 17 | 34 | 10 |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 5 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 9 |
| Total | 140 | 167 | 241 | 230 | 138 |
| 2025 rate per 100,000 | East Willowdale | Citywide | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 295 | 768 | 142nd |
| Break-ins | 199 | 190 | 59th |
| Car thefts | 182 | 225 | 89th |
| Robberies | 57 | 78 | 96th |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 51 | 61 | 65th |
| Total | 783 | 1,322 | 141st |
Rank: 1st is the most of 158.
| Crimes reported | 2025 rate per 100,000 residents | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major crime | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | East Willowdale | Citywide | Rank (1st = most) |
| Assaults | 54 | 58 | 47 | 86 | 52 | 295 | 768 | 142nd |
| Break-ins | 26 | 40 | 73 | 52 | 35 | 199 | 190 | 59th |
| Car thefts | 45 | 44 | 90 | 47 | 32 | 182 | 225 | 89th |
| Robberies | 10 | 12 | 17 | 34 | 10 | 57 | 78 | 96th |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 5 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 51 | 61 | 65th |
| Total | 140 | 167 | 241 | 230 | 138 | 783 | 1,322 | 141st |
Source: Toronto Police Service, Neighbourhood Crime Rates.
Permits and new homes by year
| Year | Building permits | New homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 186 | 25 |
| 2022 | 211 | 30 |
| 2023 | 177 | 91 |
| 2024 | 236 | 37 |
| 2025 | 166 | 271 |
| 2026 | 176 | 151 |
Source: City of Toronto Building Permits (active and cleared). 2026 so far.
Average rents, October 2025
| Unit | North York | A year earlier | Toronto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,316 | $1,254 | $1,499 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,643 | $1,648 | $1,763 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,915 | $1,902 | $2,055 |
| 3 bedrooms or more | $2,196 | $2,159 | $2,361 |
Source: CMHC Rental Market Survey, purpose-built rental apartments. Covers North York (the former City of North York); CMHC doesn’t publish rents for single neighbourhoods.
Planning proposals (28)
Under appeal (14)
| Address | Proposal | Type | Key date | City file |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Alfred Ave | Split the lot | Consent and minor variance | Submitted Sep 2024 | B0038/24NY |
| 118 Hollywood Ave | Garage or parking | Minor variance | Submitted May 2016 | A0467/16NY |
| 141 Kingsdale Ave | Minor variance | Minor variance | Submitted Mar 2021 | A0240/21NY |
| 158 Olive Ave | Minor variance | Minor variance | Submitted Jul 2016 | A0685/16NY |
| 171 Elmwood Ave | New house | Minor variance and consent | Submitted Apr 2021 | A0308/21NY |
| 210 Byng Ave | Minor variance | Minor variance | Submitted May 2016 | A0437/16NY |
| 220 Willowdale Ave | New house | Minor variance | Submitted Sep 2016 | A0850/16NY |
| 241 Finch Ave E | 8 homes | Minor variance and condominium | Submitted Dec 2023 | A0626/23NY |
| 297 Hillcrest Ave | Minor variance | Minor variance | Submitted Dec 2016 | A1125/16NY |
| 30 Lawnview Dr | Split the lot | Consent | Submitted Sep 2023 | B0028/23NY |
Waiting for a decision (13)
| Address | Proposal | Type | Key date | City file |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104 Finch Ave E | 11-storey building with shops | Site plan | Submitted Jul 2026 | 26 212314 NNY 18 SA |
| 119 Finch Ave E | 13-storey building · 235 homes and shops | Rezoning | Submitted Sep 2026 | 26 246786 NNY 18 OZ |
| 126 Byng Ave | Minor variance | Minor variance | Submitted Jul 2010 | A0546/10NY |
| 179 Finch Ave E | 7-storey building · 40 homes | Site plan | Submitted Oct 2026 | 26 250157 NNY 18 SA |
| 223 Elmwood Ave | Minor variance | Minor variance | Submitted Nov 2026 | |
| 225 Finch Ave E | Consent | Consent | Submitted May 2004 | |
| 247 Parkview Ave | New house | Minor variance | Submitted May 2021 | A0353/21NY |
| 257 Finch Ave E | Rezoning | Rezoning | Submitted Aug 2024 | 24 195190 NNY 18 OZ |
| 288 Dunforest Ave | Garage or parking | Minor variance and consent | Submitted Jan 2016 | A0034/16NY |
| 2901 Bayview Ave | Two towers, up to 52 storeys | Rezoning | Submitted Dec 2025 | 25 265324 NNY 17 OZ |
Decided recently (1)
| Address | Proposal | Type | Key date | City file |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 204 Greenfield Ave | New house | Minor variance | Decided Nov 2025 | A0504/25NY |
Source: City of Toronto Development Applications and Committee of Adjustment. One row per site. · Download CSV
Apartment buildings (3)
| Building | RentSafe score | Units | Built | Open fire violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 422 Willowdale Ave | 91 | 16 | 1992 | — |
| 77 Finch Ave E | 94 | 438 | 1985 | 0 |
| 414 Willowdale Ave | 97 | 65 | 1958 | — |
Source: RentSafeTO Apartment Building Evaluation; Residential Fire Inspection Results.
Schools (5)
| School | Grades | Board | Students | Gr. 6 reading | Gr. 6 math | Gr. 10 literacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Public School | JK-6 | TDSB | 360 | — | — | — |
| McKee Public School | JK-5 | TDSB | 610 | — | — | — |
| St Gabriel Catholic School | JK-8 | TCDSB | 315 | 76% | 55% | — |
| Finch Public School | JK-5 | TDSB | 285 | — | — | — |
| Earl Haig Secondary School | 9-12 | TDSB | 2,175 | — | — | 95% |
Source: Ontario Ministry of Education (2026) and EQAO: share of students meeting the provincial standard. Toronto: 87% Grade 6 reading, 54% math, 84% Grade 10 literacy.
Child care centres (12)
| Centre | Address | Ages | Spaces | $10 a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood All-Stars Child Care | 360 Hollywood Ave | infants, toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, school-age | 201 | Yes |
| McKee McKids Enrichment Centre | 35 Church Ave | preschool, kindergarten, school-age | 166 | Yes |
| Finch Flyers Child Care Program | 277 Finch Ave E | toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, school-age | 146 | Yes |
| Willowbrae Academy Bayview Village | 432 Sheppard Ave E | infants, toddlers, preschool | 102 | Yes |
| St. Gabriel's Jr YMCA | 396 Spring Garden Ave | preschool, kindergarten, school-age | 87 | Yes |
| Central Montessori Schools - Willowdale Campus | 157 Willowdale Ave | toddlers, preschool | 62 | Yes |
| Central Montessori School | 180 Sheppard Ave E | toddlers, preschool | 54 | Yes |
| Yorktown Montessori School | 349 Kenneth Ave | preschool | 40 | Yes |
| Toronto Woods Daycare | 3072 Bayview Ave | toddlers, preschool | 35 | Yes |
| Lansing Co-Op Nursery School | 80 Church Ave | preschool | 32 | Yes |
| Bannockburn School | 3080 Bayview Ave | toddlers, preschool | 110 | No |
| Central Montessori Schools - Maplehurst Campus | 181 Maplehurst Ave | preschool | 64 | No |
Source: City of Toronto Licensed Child Care Centres.
Busiest bus and streetcar routes
| Route | Type | Trips each way, weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 39 Finch East | Bus | 163 |
| 939 Finch Express | Bus | 146 |
| 11 Bayview | Bus | 58 |
| 185 Sheppard Central | Bus | 56 |
| 98 Willowdale-Senlac | Bus | 52 |
Source: TTC and GO Transit schedules for a typical weekday. Trips each way: weekday trips past the route’s busiest stop in the neighbourhood.
Parks and recreation
| Amenity | East Willowdale | Typical | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parks and play | |||
| Parks | 13 | 8 | Bayview Parkette, Empress Parkette, Empress Tot Lot and 10 more |
| Playgrounds | 5 | 5 | Empress Tot Lot, Kenneth Park, Maplehurst Park and 2 more |
| Community centres | 1 | 1 | Mitchell Field Community Centre |
| City programs at schools | 1 | — | McKee Public School |
| Splash pads | 0 | 0 | None inside East Willowdale. Nearest: Antibes Community Centre, 2.8 km away in Westminster-Branson. |
| Swimming | |||
| Public pools | 1 | 1 | Mitchell Field Community Centre |
| Wading pools | 0 | 0 | None inside East Willowdale. Nearest: Woburn Avenue Playground, 3.9 km away in Lawrence Park North. |
| Beaches | 0 | 0 | None inside East Willowdale. |
| Courts and fitness | |||
| Tennis | 0 | 1 | None inside East Willowdale. |
| Pickleball | 0 | 0 | None inside East Willowdale. Nearest: Bayview Village Park, just over the border in Bayview Village. |
| Basketball | 0 | 1 | None inside East Willowdale. Nearest: Wedgewood Park-North York, 930 m away in Newtonbrook East. |
| Outdoor fitness equipment | 0 | 0 | None inside East Willowdale. Nearest: Lord Seaton Park, just over the border in St.Andrew-Windfields. |
| Facilities | |||
| Public washrooms | 3 | 2 | Lee Lifeson Art Park, Mitchell Field Community Centre and 1 more · 1 of 3 open today |
Source: City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Facilities, Tennis Courts and Washroom Facilities. Typical neighbourhood: the median across Toronto.
Street work (8)
| Work | Where | When |
|---|---|---|
| Road rebuild | Sheppard Ave E, Bayview Ave to Clairtrell Road | 2025 to 2027 |
| Road rebuild | Lailey Cres, near Highgate Ave | 2026 to 2027 |
| Road resurfacing | Willowdale Ave, Finch Ave to Bishop Ave | Q2 to Q3 2027 |
| Road resurfacing | Burleigh Hts Dr, Burbank Dr to Bayview Ave | Q2 to Q4 2027 |
| Sidewalk work | Burleigh Hts Dr, Burbank Dr to Bayview Ave | Q2 to Q4 2027 |
| Road resurfacing | McKee Ave, Kenneth Ave to Doris Ave | Q3 2027 to Q4 2028 |
| Road resurfacing | Sheppard Ave E, Clairtrell Road to Kenneth Ave | Q2 2024 to Q3 2026 (carried over) |
| Road resurfacing | Hollywood Ave, Estelle Ave to Kenneth Ave | Q2 2024 to Q4 2025 (carried over) |
Source: City of Toronto Road Reconstruction, Road Resurfacing and Sidewalk Construction programs. Dates are the City’s plan and can move.
Garden and laneway suites (33)
| Address | Type | Permit |
|---|---|---|
| 342 Maplehurst Ave | Garden suite | Aug 2026 |
| 342 Maplehurst Ave | Garden suite | Aug 2026 |
| 117 Estelle Ave | Garden suite | Aug 2026 |
| 276 Estelle Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Jun 2026 |
| 338 Willowdale Ave | Garden suite | May 2026 |
| 127 Highgate Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Dec 2025 |
| 250 Estelle Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Dec 2025 |
| 127 Highgate Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Dec 2025 |
| 250 Estelle Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Dec 2025 |
| 280 Maplehurst Ave | Garden suite | Dec 2025 |
| 308 Maplehurst Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Nov 2025 |
| 308 Maplehurst Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Nov 2025 |
| 204 Holmes Ave | Garden suite | Oct 2025 |
| 83 Princess Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Oct 2025 |
| 203 McKee Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Aug 2025 |
| 461 Kenneth Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Aug 2025 |
| 212 Parkview Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Aug 2025 |
| 203 McKee Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Jul 2025 |
| 128 Estelle Ave | Garden suite | Jul 2025 |
| 168 Empress Ave | Garden suite | Jun 2025 |
| 321 Hillcrest Ave | Garden suite | Jun 2025 |
| 187 Greenfield Ave | Garden suite | May 2025 |
| 351 Spring Garden Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Feb 2025 |
| 15 Charlemagne Dr | Garden suite | Apr 2024 |
| 102 Spring Garden Ave | Laneway or garden suite | Nov 2023 |
| 11 Charlemagne Dr | Garden suite | Jul 2023 |
| 228 Olive Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Jul 2023 |
| 176 Empress Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Apr 2023 |
| 179 Empress Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Mar 2023 |
| 312 Spring Garden Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Aug 2022 |
| 81 Empress Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Apr 2021 |
| 121 Alfred Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | Nov 2018 |
| 180 Princess Ave | Second suite (such as a basement apartment) | May 2016 |
Source: City of Toronto Building Permits, since 2021.
Shootings, bicycle thefts and thefts from vehicles
Other crimes, last 12 months
| Crime | Reported | Per 100,000 residents | Compared with other neighbourhoods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shootings and firearm discharges | 1 | 7 | About typical |
| Bicycle thefts | 1 | 7 | Lower than most |
| Thefts from vehicles | 29 | 187 | Lower than most |
Toronto Police Service: Shootings and Firearm Discharges, Bicycle Thefts and Theft From Motor Vehicle, last 12 months. Police place each incident at the nearest intersection.
Serious collisions by year
| Year | Collisions |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Source: Toronto Police Service: collisions in which someone was killed or seriously injured. 2026 so far.
Stations, streets, parking and EV charging
| Station | Service | Lines | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayview Station | TTC subway | 4 | Nearby |
| Finch Station | TTC subway | 1 | Nearby |
| North York Centre Station | TTC subway | 1 | Nearby |
| Sheppard-Yonge Station | TTC subway | 1, 4 | Nearby |
Parking tickets and EV charging
Busiest streets
| Street | Vehicles a day | 85% drive at or under | Counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doris Ave Spring Garden Ave to Willowdale Park Trl | 13,700 | 57 km/h | Mar 2020 |
| Willowdale Ave Church Ave to Byng Ave | 11,100 | 52 km/h | Sep 2026 |
| Finch Ave E | 8,800 | — | Apr 2021 |
| Empress Ave Doris Ave to Kenneth Ave | 4,400 | 44 km/h | Sep 2020 |
Fastest residential streets
| Street | Vehicles a day | 85% drive at or under | Counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Garden Ave Wilfred Ave to Clairtrell Rd | 2,600 | 54 km/h | Jun 2017 |
| Holmes Ave Wilfred Ave to Estelle Ave | 497 | 54 km/h | Mar 2019 |
| Hollywood Ave Highgate Ave to Estelle Ave | 1,200 | 42 km/h | Apr 2024 |
City of Toronto Traffic Volumes, counts since 2016; each street shows its highest count. “Residential” means streets the City classes as local roads. Counts are taken on different streets in different years, so they aren’t ranked.
Park space and park projects
How much of the neighbourhood is park
| Largest parks and open spaces | Hectares |
|---|---|
| Willowdale Park | 3.6 |
| Mitchell Field Park | 1.5 |
| Parkview Park | 0.9 |
| Ring Road Linear Park | 0.8 |
| Lee Lifeson Art Park | 0.7 |
City of Toronto Green Spaces: parks, natural areas and conservation land. Hydro corridors, golf courses, cemeteries and road verges aren’t counted.
Park projects
- Willowdale Park Improvements
The City is improving Willowdale Park with proposed upgrades that include a new playground offering fun and creative play opportunities, a new fitness area, a shade structure and repairs to the tennis courts.In progress - John McKenzie Parkette Expansion
The City is expanding John McKenzie Parkette as a result of acquiring the land at 37 Norton Ave. in North York.In progress
City of Toronto Park and Recreation Facility Projects.
Green roofs and solar
Green roofs and solar
Since 2010, 6 building permits in East Willowdale included a green roof, the 55th most in Toronto. Since 2009, 1 included a solar hot water system.
City of Toronto building permits for green roofs (required on larger new buildings since 2010) and solar hot water systems.
Noise permits
Noise permits
In the last 12 months, 8 noise exemption permits were issued in East Willowdale: 8 for amplified sound at events.
City of Toronto Noise Exemption Permits. A permit lets an event or a construction project make noise outside the hours the noise bylaw allows. Address pages list the permits nearby that haven’t ended yet.
Business improvement area
Business improvement areas
No Business Improvement Area covers East Willowdale.
City of Toronto Business Improvement Areas.
Heritage, flood risk and local contacts
- Heritage
- 2 properties on the Heritage Register (1 designated, 1 listed), 54th fewest in Toronto.
- Flood and shoreline
- None of its addresses are in a TRCA flood or shoreline hazard area. A few (0%) are in TRCA’s regulated area, where some work needs a TRCA permit.
- Lead in tap water
- In M2N, 1 of 133 home tests was above Ontario’s limit (0.8%; Toronto 2.0%). None of 31 home tests in M2K were above Ontario’s limit.
- Councillor
- Lily Cheng · Ward 18 Willowdale profile
Source: City of Toronto Heritage Register; Toronto and Region Conservation Authority; City of Toronto lead testing; City of Toronto elected officials.
What residents report to 311
What residents report to 311
In the last 12 months, 8,062 service requests came from postal area M2N, which covers most of East Willowdale. The most common:
| Damaged bin lids | 339 | |
| Potholes and road damage | 313 | |
| Blocked sewer lines | 261 | |
| Damaged sidewalks | 247 | |
| Property standards | 239 | |
| Posters on City property | 222 |
City of Toronto 311 Service Requests, October 2025 to October 2026. 311 gives only the first three characters of the postal code, which don’t line up with neighbourhoods, so this isn’t ranked on the leaderboard.
One email every Wednesday with what changed in East Willowdale: new proposals, demolitions, heritage listings, serious collisions and more. Add up to 4 more neighbourhoods. Free, and no address needed.
More: Neighbourhood leaderboard · Compare East Willowdale side by side