Westbrook
History:
Westbrook’s Twickenham Park is named after Twickenham Farm a prominent landmark in the Richmond Hill countryside. Twickenham Farm was purchased by Captain Larratt Smith in 1836. Smith had emigrated to Canada from England in 1831 along with his wife Mary and their four children. Dr. Henry Scadding a prominent Toronto historian and author described Twickenham Farm as “the cosy English looking residences with a clustering of appurtenances, lawns, sheltering plantations, winding drives. The Smith’s were prominent in upper society Toronto circles and hosted many visitors at Twickenham. Despite Twickenham’s charms Mary Smith grew homesick for England and in 1844 she and Captain Smith returned home. However, their son Larratt Smith would remain in Toronto and lead an extremely distinguished life having served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Toronto; as well as having served as a Director on numerous Canadian Corporations including: Consumers’ Gas Company, the Bank of Upper Canada:and the Grand Trunk Telegraph Co. just to name a few.Smith was also a life senator of the University of Toronto, and Bencher of the Upper Canada Law Society. He was also a noted philanthropist having donated 100 acres of his Toronto Summerhill estate to the City of Toronto.
Overview:
Westbrook is situated in the north part of Richmond Hill on the edges of the Oak Ridges Moraine. The topography is hilly and the streets twist and wind interrupted only by a handful of schools and the many parks that are situated in the neighbourhood. The East Don River and a tributary of the Rouge River both wind their way southward headed towards Toronto. The watershed for these rivers forms a green corridor that has been transformed into the Trans Richmond Trail a bicycle and pedestrian trail that traverses scenic river valleys.
The Elgin West Community Centre and Pool situated on Bathurst Street is the main community hub in the neighbourhood. This community centre includes a multi-lane pool, a tots pool, a gymnasium, community meeting rooms and an outdoor children’s playground. The building is bright and airy and has a contemporary feel which suits this relatively new and emerging neighbourhood.
Lifestyle:
Westbrook residents can quickly access a plethora of shops and restaurants at the Rutherford Marketplace located just a few minutes to the south along Bahturst Street at Rutherford Road. Rutherford Marketplace is a large shopping destination that features an excellent mix of tenants including: Longo’s, Shoppers Drug Mart, LA Fitness, LCBO, RBC, Aroma Espresso Bar and many more.
Homes:
Westbrook consists of mostly of large detached brick homes with attached garages, the kind you are likely familiar with if you have been to a number of newer home subdivisions. The lots are above average and the homes are nicely landscaped. The street patttern is curvi-linear and the topography is hilly affording many homeowners wit nice open vistas and plenty of light.
Recreation:
Elgin West Community Centre and Pool on Bathurst Street is an ultra-modern facility with a multi-lane indoor pool with a waterslide and adjacent tots pool. There is also a large gymnasium as well as meeting rooms. To the rear of the community centre is a trail and a children’s playground.
Twickenham Park is the largest greenspace in the neighbourhood. It features a popular walking trail that overlooks a pond.
Arts:
Arts based programs are available throughout the year at the Elgin West Community centre on Bathurst Street.
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Westbrook Stats
Walkability:
Medium
Bikeability:
Medium
Public Transit:
Medium
Affordability:
Medium
Greenspace:
Medium
Recreation:
High
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.