About Clanton Park

Clanton Park, also referred to as Dublin Heights or Wilson Heights, was Toronto’s best kept secret – a neighbourhood located in the Central Toronto with generous lots and quiet, leafy-green streets. But now the secret is out! In the last 10 years, home buyers snapped up post-war bungalows at bargain prices and Clanton Park has now achieved up-and-comer status. While detached homes in 2002 used to hover around $350,000, they now go for an average of over $1,500,000.

Clanton Park is bordered on the north by Sheppard Avenue West, on the west by Wilson Heights Boulevard, on the east by Bathurst Street, and on the south by Highway 401.

As of 2011, the population of Clanton Park was 14,610.

The neighbourhood is one of the largest Jewish areas of the city, but also contains a large number of residents of Italian, Filipino, Polish, and Russian origin.

For Demographic information about Clanton Park, click HERE.

In addition to excellent schools, Clanton Park residents are also served by several parks, most notably Clanton Park, numerous places of worship, nearby shopping and restaurants, local TCC bus service and the Wilson Subway Station. Clanton Park is adjacent to two of Toronto’s main commuter highways – Highway 401 and Allen Expressway.

Bus service in the interior of this neighbourhood along Faywood Boulevard as well as the bus routes on the periphery (Wilson Heights, Wilson Avenue, and Sheppard Avenue) connect passengers to the nearby Wilson Subway Station, as well as the Yonge/Sheppard Station.

Bathurst Street is the main arterial roadway serving this neighbourhood. It provides motorists with a direct route downtown and also provides southbound commuters with access to Highway 401.

Clanton Park Homes

The majority of Clanton Park’s houses were built in the late 1950s and the 1960s. The mix of housing in this neighbourhood includes bungalows, split level homes, and contemporary custom built houses. Clanton Park’s housing stock is situated on suburban size lots with an average of fifty to sixty foot frontages.

The Balmoral subdivision located at Faywood and Joel Swirsky Boulevards is a collection of newer custom built homes with smart looking stone and brick exteriors. The entrance to this exclusive subdivision is marked by a stone pillar gateway at Faywood Boulevard.

Clanton Park also contains newly built condominiums although these are located on the periphery of the neighbourhood.

The History of Clanton Park

Clanton Park’s history dates back to early 1800s when it began as a farming hamlet. Dublin Heights is named after Dublin Farm which was located near Sheppard Avenue and Dufferin Street. Dublin Farm was owned by William Duncan, who emigrated to Canada from Ireland in 1827 and paid $3.50 an acre for his 200 acre farm.

William Duncan had a significant impact on the growth of Clanton Park. He personally oversaw the building of the area’s first school and hired the first schoolmaster. Duncan also served as a highly respected Justice of the Peace for York Township.

The Watson family, also from Ireland, opened the first general store and post office in 1854. This post office was originally called “Carronbrook,” however that name was changed in 1878 to “Dublin” in recognition of William Duncan and his landmark “Dublin” farm.

The Dublin post office was closed in 1955 when the present day neighbourhood was being developed. The only tangible reminder of the history of Dublin Heights is the cornerstone from the circa 1872 Dublin Schoolhouse. This cornerstone is mounted on the main entrance wall of the present day Dublin Heights Elementary and Middle School, located on Bainbridge Avenue.

Clanton Park Neighbourhood Amenities

Toronto District School Board