The Christie Pits neighbourhood has a lot of histor - residents often like to regale newcomers with tales of the infamous 1933 riot or brag about the fact that the park was originally an excavation site and that much of the sand, gravel and clay deposits were used to build many of Toronto’s early roadways and public buildings. Even Christie Street itself was named after the man who’s known to scores of cookie-loving children as Mr. Christie and who also used to call the area home.

Now the Christie Pits neighbourhood, which runs from Dupont Street south to Bloor Street West between Ossington Avenue and Christie Street is home to thousands of long-time homeowners as well as young couples and families buying homes and ready to make their own history in the area.

Live the History
Many Christie Pits homes, were built almost 100 years ago and if those walls could talk, probably have a few interesting stories of their own. The area originally catered to working class residents in the early 1900s so the lots are cozy, with a fashionable blend of charm and modern updates that make Christie Pits real estate distinctive and welcoming.

Park = Life
Like most of the Christie Pits real estate, the community pretty much revolves around the park and it’s the unofficial meeting place for most residents, no matter the weather. Christie Pits Park is home to 3 baseball diamonds, the largest of which is home field for the Toronto Maple Leafs Intercounty Baseball team. The park also boasts an outdoor pool & water slide, basketball courts, and a playground. In the winter, the park is inundated with ice skaters and avid tobogganers. For those who are less inclined towards physical activity, the park has several grassed picnic areas where locals can be found lounging on balmy days. As this neighbourhood continues to grow, the park remains central to the community as a meeting place, a competitive playing field and a living reminder of how far the community has come from the old days.

The New World Just a Subway Ride Away
Downtown Toronto is a mere hop, skip and jump away thanks to the easy access to both Christie and Ossington subway stations on Bloor line from Christie Pits homes. Residents can also feel free to “get their bike on” since the side streets and pathways through the parks offer a great alternate way to traverse the neighbourhood and commune with the prevalent outdoor culture.

The author: Kristal Cooper is a local freelance writer who loves movies and exploring Toronto's many diverse neighbourhoods.