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The 5 Best Toronto Neighborhoods For Community Engagement

Cityscape of Toronto

What makes a great neighborhood? Amenities, transportation, curb appeal and crime ratings are all common criteriapeople use when shopping for a new area to live in. As time goes on, different things become to matter more, includingcommunity engagement. Community engagement refers to the process of promoting positive change within aneighborhood. This is achieved through a combination of efforts from community organizations and individuals. Living in aneighborhood with strong community engagement especially benefits people with younger children, so community-oriented areas are some of the best Toronto neighborhoods for families as well as young people. If you’re moving toToronto and looking for a strong, supportive area to live in, here are 5 of the best neighborhoods in Toronto for communityengagement.

High Park-Swansea

by Bryan Groulx

High Park-Swansea is a popular area for a mixed variety of people in Toronto’s west end and ranks as one of the bestneighborhoods in Toronto. The neighborhood centers around the massive High Park, which is an amazing local greenspace full of great amenities. Community engagement really shines through the amenities offered within the park. Atheatre, museum, and various sports fields are all offered for the public to enjoy. The Jamie Bell Adventure Playgroundwas created as a community meeting place and was inspired by the strong community values found within theneighborhood.

Learn more about High-Park Swansea.

Wychwood

by Alex Yakon

Wychwood is a very unique Toronto neighborhood because the exclusivity and private atmosphere it possesses. Theneighborhood has it’s own executive council that makes local decisions. Everything from road upkeep to new amenitiesare decided by the community, for the community. Each Wychwood residents pays a special tax fee to maintain thisprivate lifestyle. Residents have access to the scenic Wychwood Park which is very well maintained and offersrecreational activities for the whole neighborhood.

Learn more about Wychwood.

The Beaches

by Tomros

Located along the shores of Lake Ontario, The Beaches is one of the city’s most charming and well known neighborhoods.It has the feeling of a small, tight knit lake town that’s characteristic of suburban Ontario areas. The neighborhood has avariety of public beaches that the community atmosphere is greatly influenced by. All local activities and attractions arefocused on promoting a safe, healthy, and happy family environment. Community organizers plans lots of events withinKew Gardens, like The Beaches Jazz Festival, arts and crafts events, and Christmas Tree/Menorah lightings. The BeachToronto Public Library also offers plenty of youth and family oriented activities.

Learn more about The Beaches.

Cabbagetown

by Jaudebeau

Cabbagetown is especially known for having locals that take pride in having a strong community. The area attracted manynew residents during a revitalization period in the 1970’s which led to Cabbagetown becoming one of the most gentrifiedneighborhoods in Toronto. The area offers lots of support for local youth through recreational and arts based programs.These activities are offered at the The Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre and The Cabbagetown Youth Centre.Families also flock to the Cabbagetown Public Library and Riverdale Park for family friendly activities and events.

Learn more about Cabbagetown.

Roncesvalles

by Tomros

Roncesvalles is conveniently located just west of downtown Toronto. The neighborhood is known for having a charming,small town atmosphere. Many young families have move to the area who are attracted to the location and tight-knitcommunity. Local residents benefit greatly from short distance to High Park and smaller parks located within the area. Theneighborhood has strong community organizations that rally for local change and improvement. These groups take actionof causes such as the planned extinction of the Revue Cinema, which was canceled and taken over as a non-for-profitbusiness managed by the community.

Learn more about Roncesvalles.