Where to Buy Now: Christie Pits, because good parks make good neighbours
Plagued by crime and patrolled by drug dealers, Christie Pits’s green spaces seemed doomed—until fed-up neighbours did something about it. Angela Burns, who’s lived in the area since the ’70s, founded the Christie-Ossington (now the Christie Pits) Residents’ Association in 2006. One of the group’s early campaigns was a cleanup of Irene Parkette, off Shaw Street. Burns convinced fellow residents that they would have to use the park or lose it to the dealers. They organized picnics, cleared trash, installed new playground equipment and convinced police to patrol the space during periods of high activity. Within a year, the park was littered with sandbox toys, and toddlers had taken over the playground.
Burns says there were hardly any kids around when her daughter, now 20, was growing up. But in the last five years, she’s seen a steady rise in stroller traffic. A community garden and summer movie nights are also animating Christie Pits Park. “You go to residents’ meetings and weed the parkette garden together,” she says, “and the next thing you know, you’re having a drink with neighbours on their patio.”
From Ossington Ave. to Christie St.; from the railroad tracks north of Dupont St. to Bloor St. W.
2009: $495,736
2010: $533,213
2011: $623,609
*2011 averages reflect most recent data from January to August
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 Residents’ Association in 2006. One of the group’s early campaigns was a cleanup of Irene Parkette, off Shaw Street. Burns convinced fellow residents that they would have to use the park or lose it to the dealers. They organized picnics, cleared trash, installed new playground equipment and convinced police to patrol the space during periods of high activity. Within a year, the park was littered with sandbox toys, and toddlers had taken over the playground.
Burns says there were hardly any kids around when her daughter, now 20, was growing up. But in the last five years, she’s seen a steady rise in stroller traffic. A community garden and summer movie nights are also animating Christie Pits Park. “You go to residents’ meetings and weed the parkette garden together,” she says, “and the next thing you know, you’re having a drink with neighbours on their patio.”
From Ossington Ave. to Christie St.; from the railroad tracks north of Dupont St. to Bloor St. W.
2009: $495,736
2010: $533,213
2011: $623,609
*2011 averages reflect most recent data from January to August
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This is great to hear. I grew up in this neighbourhood and always look back fondly on it. Too bad I just can’t afford to move back in!
This is a great family friendly neighbourhood. I grew up here and moved back 7 years ago with my husband, where we’ve since had two children. The neighbourhood is safe, and and close to transit. You can take a quick walk or bus to the Bloor Danforth Line (christie subway) or University Line (dupont subway). Everything you need is at your door, including the local home-made chocolate shop, Loblaws, Sobeys, Christie Pitts, a Catholic and a Public school. Christie Pitts has been rejuvenated with new play structures in the children’s play area and houses a splash pad swim pool for toddlers. There is a wonderfully renovated large swimming pool complete with showers, lockers and change areas. For winter fun, there is also a large skating rink. Lots of great places to eat. New restaurants and coffee shops are sprouting up along Ossington and Shaw, as well as the great Mexican, Korean, Indian, and other variety on Bloor, not to mention Vinnie Pannini (veal sandwich shop) on Dupont. With increased stroller traffic, Starbucks and Tim’s, plus all the trendy shops and our very own spa (CURE), why would you want to live anywhere else?? This neighbourhood is safe and flourishing with young families, home to the Children’s Storefront. Christie Pitts is home to children and youth softball and soccer leages as well as the Toronto Maple Leafs softball games. A great way to spend a weekend day with your family, and grab an icecream at Baskin Robbins while you’re at it. Welcome to the neighbourhood !
“plagued by crime and drug dealers” Huh? Since when? I played baseball there as a kid in the 90’s and went to school two blocks north of the park. It seemed perfectly safe to me.