Alderwood is on the west edge of Toronto, nestled between Etobicoke Creek on the west and a light industrial area to the east which is home to some major corporate employers. Originally known as New Toronto Heights, since it lay above the railroad tracks, it grew in the 1920s when area farms were subdivided for home building, and was named in 1933 when the community got its first post office (from the English translation of the Indian word for "Etobicoke," which is the place where the alders grow). Most of the homes in the community date back to the post-War boom.
Homes
Alderwood's long linear streets are lined with rows of bungalows and storey-and-a-half houses. These houses were built during the 1920's, 30's, 40's and 50's. Many of the older bungalows have been replaced with more modern semi-detached and detached homes.
The properties in Alderwood are well maintained with nicely manicured lawns. Each house has its own private driveway and most of the houses also have a garage.
Recreation
Alderwood Pool located at 520 Horner Avenue offers Aqua Tot, Aqua Quest and Aqua Fit programs as well as Bronze Cross, snorkelling, recreational swims and Junior Lifeguard programs. Across the street the Alderwood Public Library offers children's and adult programming. The Horner Avenue Senior's Centre, located at 320 Horner Avenue offers field trips, barbecues, workshops, information centres and special events.
Etobicoke Valley Park located along the north-west border of Alderwood, is the finishing point for the Etobicoke Creek Interpretive Trail, a 2.5 kilometre trail which begins at the Marie Curtis Park on the shore of Lake Ontario. This nature trail was developed by the Alderwood Environmentalists in association with the city. Alderwood Memorial Park, located in the centre of this neighbourhood, is a wide open greenspace with a children's playground. Connorvale Park, located off Valermo Drive, has a pretty baseball diamond and a children's playground.
Schools
Lanor, 450 Lanor Ave., (416) 394-7800
Sir Adam Beck, 544 Horner Ave., (416) 394-7670
Lakeshore C.I., 350 Kipling Ave., (416) 394-7650
Christ the King, 432 Horner Ave., (416) 393-5257
St. Ambrose, 20 Coules Crt., (416) 393-5259
Father John Redmond, 300 Valermo Dr., (416) 393-5540
Shopping
Alderwood's main shopping street is located along Browns Line. This neighbourhood oriented shopping district features fruit markets, home improvement stores, a medical centre, convenience stores and family style restaurants. Alderwood Plaza is located at the north end of this shopping corridor. This small plaza includes a large food market as well as a traditional mix of stores and restaurants.
The Sherway Gardens Shopping Centre is located at the north end of this neighbourhood off Evans Drive. This popular shopping centre is anchored by two major department stores, and includes over two hundred shops and restaurants.
Transportation
Bus service on Browns Line and Evans and Horner Avenues connects passengers to the Long Branch Go Transit and TTC station located on Lakeshore Boulevard.
Motorists can reach downtown Toronto in approximately twenty minutes via Lakeshore Boulevard and the Gardiner Expressway. Commuters heading out of the city have convenient access to the Highway 427 North on-ramps at Browns Line and Evans Avenue and the Queen Elizabeth Way on-ramp off Evans Avenue.
