Area Description

Rosedale is an affluent neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which was formerly the estate of William Botsford Jarvis, and so named by his wife, granddaughter of William Dummer Powell, for the wild roses that grew there in abundance. It is located north of Downtown Toronto and is one of its oldest suburbs. It is also one of the wealthiest and most highly priced neighbourhoods in Canada. It is known as the area where the city's 'Old Money' lives, and is home to some of Canada's richest and most famous citizens, including Ken Thomson who was the richest man in Canada at the time of his death.

Rosedale's boundaries consist of the CPR railway tracks to the north, Yonge Street to the west, Bloor Street to the south, and Bayview Avenue to the east. The neighbourhood is within the City of Toronto's Rosedale-Moore Park neighbourhood. The neighbourhood is divided into a north and south portion by the Park Drive Ravine.

South Rosedale was first settled by Sheriff William Jarvis and his wife, Mary, in the 1820s. Mary Jarvis, whose frequent walks and horseback rides blazed the trails for Rosedale's meandering streets (which are one of the area's trademarks), named Rosedale as a tribute to the abundance of wild roses that graced the hillsides of the Jarvis estate. The Jarvis Family sold the Rosedale homestead in 1864, which led to the residential development of the area soon after.

A noteworthy piece of Rosedale's History, is that is was home to Ontario's fourth Government House. The house was called Chorley Park, and it was built for the Lieutenant Governor in 1915. It was demolished in 1960 by the city of Toronto to save money. It is now a public park of the same name.

Rosedale is built among three ravines, preserved as parkland. Rosedale has convoluted routes through the neighbourhood and other physical boundaries, and thus has low levels of vehicular traffic. Even though Rosedale is located in the middle of Toronto, virtually no vehicular traffic can be heard due to the abundance of trees and foliage that surround the community. The homes are mostly single family detached dwellings.

South Rosedale is currently home to an exclusive all-girls school, Branksome Hall. Rosedale Public School is a small elementary school in central Rosedale, across the street from Rosedale's community centre: Mooredale House.

Rosedale Park is home to the annual spring park party, Mayfair. The event typically consists of rides, games, flea market and other such carnival-type activities. The event is traditionally on the first Saturday in May. The event is run and funded by Mooredale House.

According to Census tracts 0086.00 and 0087.00 of the 2006 Canadian census, Rosedale has 7,672 residents, up 4.8% from the 2001 census. Average income is $213,941, one of the highest incomes of all Toronto neighbourhoods. Only the Bridle Path and Lawrence Park have a markedly higher income. In 2008 the average Rosedale house sold for over $1 000 000.