Harding
History:
Asa Dexter was assigned the original land grant for this part of Richmond Hill back in 1796, The land was transferred to Bowley Arnold in 1805 and remained in the Arnold family until 1840 when it was sold to a farmer named Alexander C. Lawrence. William Harding, for whom Harding Boulevard is named took ownership of these lands in 1875. The Harding family would sell back their land to the Lawrence family in the early 1900s. In the 1910s, 20s and 30s, William J. Lawrence would help put Richmond Hill on the map with his massive Rose growing operation that was known nation wide. Rose attracted other growers to Richmond Hill and collectively turned this area into the Rose growing capital of Canada bringing great prosperity to the community. Lawrence also had a keen eye for residential development and was responsible for some of the earliest residential plans for this neighbourhood.
Recommended Reading: Early Days in Richmond Hill by Robert M. Stamp. Copyright © Richmond Hill Public Library Board 1991
Overview:
Harding is a diverse neighbourhood that includes a Chinese Baptist Church, a Buddhist Temple, a Methodist Church, a Christian Church and a Catholic school. There are also a wide variety of housing options in this neighbourhood ranging from freehold houses to condominiums and co-op rental apartments. Harding Park is the main landmark in the neighbourhood. It has a number of recreational amenities as well as nature pathways for quieter contemplative moments. This park and the entire neighbourhood are traversed by German Mills Creek a tributary of the East Don River. Harding Park and Weldrick Road East form the southern boundary of this neighbourhood. The quiet sanctuary of Harding Park is in stark contrast with the neighbourhoods boundaries: Yonge Street on the west, Bayview Avenue on the east and Major Mackenzie on the north, which are all busy arterial roadways.
Lifestyle:
Yonge Street features a plethora of outdoor shopping plazas featuring mostly grocery stores, pharmacy and restaurants. There is some additional shopping along Major Mackenzie Drive East and along Bayview Avenue.
Homes:
Most of the original housing stock dates back to the 1970s. Row upon row of ranch-style brick bungalows line the streets of this neighbourhood. These modest homes are situated on premium size lots with private driveways and garages. For the most part the streets follow a grid pattern and are well treed. The homes are set back a fair distance from the street and are nicely spaced apart. In addition to the bungalows there are pockets of two-storey detached homes. The main streets bordering this neighbourhood are much higher density with both rental apartment buildings and newer condominium buildings.
Recreation:
Harding Park has two lit baseball diamonds, a mini soccer field and two basketball courts.
Arts:
The Richmond Hill Public Library located nearby at 1 Atkinson St, offers a myriad of arts related programs for children and adults.
Harding Stats
Walkability:
Medium
Bikeability:
Low
Public Transit:
High
Affordability:
Medium
Greenspace:
Medium
Recreation:
Medium
Legend: Low, Medium, High
Commute Times
* All commuting times provided are approximate times only. Commute times may increase or decrease depending on where you live within the neighbourhood and the time of day i.e rush hour versus off hour commutes. Time estimates to public transit are based on walking distance or bus line connection whichever is quicker. All other commute times on the chart above are based on drive times.