Was Dorset Park named after a county in England? Yes it was. Welcome to Dorset Park a vibrant community in Toronto. It is located in Scarborough. Dorset Park is bordered by major roads. Highway 401 is to the north. Midland Avenue is to the east. Lawrence Avenue is to the south. Birchmount Road is to the west.
Dorset Park has a rich history. It started as farmland. Most of the houses here were built in the 1950s. Even today you can see the charm of those early days. The area south of Lawrence Avenue is called McGregor Park. It is often considered part of Dorset Park.
Kennedy Road runs through Dorset Park. It is a bustling business area. This stretch of road is 3.5 kilometers long. You will find stores businesses and high-rise buildings here. Kennedy Commons is a large strip mall on Kennedy Road. It is located between Highway 401 and Ellesmere Road.
Let’s talk about education. Several public schools serve Dorset Park. General Crerar Public School is one. Dorset Park Public School is another. Ellesmere-Statton Public School is also here. It was founded in 1953. It replaced S.S No 4 which opened in the 1840s. Glamorgan Public Junior School is also located here. Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute is the secondary school in the area.
Dorset Park is known for its arts and culture. Artists and Artisans Development and Network is here. It helps artists grow and connect. Sarang Folk Dance and Art Academy is nearby. It teaches traditional Indian dances. The Art Forum is close to Dorset Park. This gallery and store sells paintings. They also offer framing services.
Shopping is convenient in Dorset Park. Kennedy Road offers many options. You can find grocery stores and retailers here. Metro and Foody World are grocery stores in the area. Other stores include The Brick LCBO Michaels and PetSmart. You can find even more shops south on Kennedy Road.
There are many restaurants in Dorset Park. Pizza on Fire is a popular spot. They serve creative pizzas and burgers. Floga Estiatorio offers Greek cuisine. You can enjoy souvlaki and moussaka here. Near Ellesmere and Kennedy Roads you can find Vietnamese and Middle Eastern restaurants.
Dorset Park has green spaces for recreation. The McGregor Community Centre has a sports field. It also features a playground tennis courts and a baseball diamond. Arsandco Park is near Lawrence East subway station. It offers a baseball diamond open fields and a pool. Dorset Park itself has a baseball diamond a playground and a gazebo. A long meadow runs through Dorset Park.
The McGregor Community Centre is close. It has a pool an ice rink and a learning kitchen. Many programs are offered here. These include swimming fitness sports and arts. The community centre is next to the McGregor Park Library.
Dorset Park is conveniently located. Highway 401 is nearby. This makes commuting easy. Public transit is also accessible. You can take a bus to Kennedy subway station. From there you can take the Bloor-Danforth line. Alternatively you can take a bus to York Mills Station. Then take the Yonge-University line south.
Back 2 Basickz is a non-profit organization in Dorset Park. It helps youth involved in the justice system. They offer mentoring and workshops. Amanda Coombs is the executive director.
Dorset Park was once called Ellesmere. It was a small hamlet. Farms were purchased for very little. Folklore tells of someone trading boots for a farm. The Ellesmere Arena was a focal point. It was home to the Maple Leaf Curling Club and the Ellesmere Maple Leaf Band. In 1912 Ellesmere became part of Agincourt.
Dorset Park offers a mix of history culture and community. It is a great place to live and explore.