About Roncesvalles

Often referred to as "Roncy" & originally known as 'Howard Park', most of this area was formerly within the boundaries of Parkdale and Brockton villages and was annexed into Toronto in the 1880s. Culturally, The main street, Roncesvalles Ave, has long been known as the cultural and commercial centre of Toronto's Polish Canadian community. A number of Polish-speaking restaurants, delicatessens and shops specializing in Polish goods are located on Roncesvalles Avenue. There is even a Polish festival every year that closes down the Main Street for food stands & carnival rides.

The neighbourhood is predominantly residential, with a commercial strip the full length of Roncesvalles, composed predominantly of small businesses, churches and institutions. To the west of Roncesvalles, the area is nearly completely residential except for St. Joseph's Health Centre and a Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) streetcar barn. East of Roncesvalles along the CN and CP rail lines is an older industrial area that is in transition. Several of the buildings along Sorauren Avenue have been converted into loft-style condominiums. At one time a large TTC bus garage was located along Sorauren Avenue; this property has been converted into Sorauren Park. Two other old industrial buildings along Wabash are owned by the City of Toronto, and are slated for a future community centre project. One of the buildings currently serves as a clubhouse for the Park.

This neighbourhood offers lots to see and do! The area has several bars and restaurants with live music. Gate 403, located at 403 Roncesvalles is a jazz bar with live music daily. The Local pub offers live music daily. Inter Steer offers live music twice a week. Loons Restaurant & Pub offers live music on Friday nights. Latinada, on Bloor Street west of Dundas, is a Tapas bar with live music. Zagłoba restaurant also offers live music. On Dundas Street just north of Roncesvalles, Hugh's Room books folk, jazz and blues daily. Annually in June, the "Roncy Rocks" one-day music and art show is held outdoors along Roncesvalles. Several side streets off Roncesvalles are closed and musical stages and art displays installed. Musicians and artists are mostly local to the community.

SCHOOLS

- Fern Avenue Public School
- Garden Avenue Junior Public School
- Howard Junior Public School
- St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Elementary School
- Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School

TRANSPORTATION

The intersection of Roncesvalles, Queen and King streets has long been a transportation hub of the city of Toronto. Today, the area is well served by the Dundas West and Keele subway stations to the north at Bloor Street. Roncesvalles Avenue was completely reconstructed in 2009-2011, partially owing to the need to replace the sewer pipes, water mains and the streetcar tracks. The roadway re-construction incorporated roadway narrowing and sidewalk improvements. Transit platforms were built to extend to the streetcar doors at transit stops. Streetcars operate regularly northbound and southbound on Roncesvalles Ave connecting commuters to Dundas St & the Bloor-Danforth subway lines.

Walk Score 95 - Walkers Paradise
Transit Score 100 - Riders Paradise
Bike Score 64 - Bikeable

Commute to Downtown Toronto
Car - 15mins
Bus - 27mins
Bike - 21mins
Walk - 60+mins