Toronto Stories: The History of Parkdale

Parkdale, a neighborhood in Toronto, was originally a 240-acre gift to James Brock in 1812. Incorporated as Parkdale Village in 1879, it was controversially annexed by Toronto a decade later. The Toronto Harbour Commission's waterfront "improvements" from 1911-1922 introduced a boardwalk, Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion, and Sunnyside Amusement Park, reshaping the area.
By the 1950s, the construction of the Gardiner Expressway dramatically shifted Parkdale's demographics, turning it into a working-class neighborhood. Today, gentrification challenges Parkdale's diversity and inclusivity as the community grapples with change. This video is part of a broader series of Toronto Stories and a study on Parkdale’s evolving identity.
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