Jesse in Neighbourhood Explorer, Neighbourhoods
Highway 401 acts as the southern border of Tam O’Shanter-Sullivan. The appearance of quick access is a tad deceiving in this case - despite the highway's close proximity, backlogs of traffic along on- and off-ramps are frequent events. Many car-bound Torontonians waiting to merge onto the highway gaze longingly at the red and white buses chugging merrily along as they receive the right of way. The Warden #68, Victoria Park #24, Birchmount #17, and Kennedy Road #43 routes of the TTC all provide service north of the 401, intersecting with the Sheppard Avenue #85 and Huntingwood #169 at their respective junctions.
Nestled in the northwest corner of Tam O’Shanter is a golf
Houses have been erected throughout Tam O’Shanter-Sullivan to make the most of their diverse surroundings. The relatively flat area in between Sheppard Avenue and Huntingwood Drive, west of Warden Avenue, allows for colonial homes and ranch-style bungalows with facades of brick, siding and clapboard to spread out on large properties commonly separated by driftwood fences and large shady trees. Other areas within the neighbourhood utilize all-brick and brick and siding back-splits and side-splits and short, square bungalows as dominant housing styles that follow the lay of the land. Generally, side-split and back-split homes are popular in more hilly areas - most common south of Sheppard Avenue - as they can merge into gradients with ease and functionality. Stout and tidy bay-windowed bungalows are found at the tops and bottoms of streets, breaking up the repetitiveness of the aforementioned styles. Creatively eclectic styles of front yard decoration are on display across the neighbourhood, adding to its distinctiveness.
During my day in Tam O’Shanter-Sullivan, I was exposed to a community that is more multi-dimensional than I had imagined. On paper, the dominant ethnicity is Chinese, followed by Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan, but in reality no one group is visually dominant. I stumbled upon Wishing Well Park, Vradenburg Park, Inglewood Heights Park and Stephen Leacock Park; each one was a discovery that tantalized me. I came across a beautiful stone and wood farmhouse on Allanford Road that, although perched upon on a small hill, was inconspicuous. Other surprised passersby slowed in front of the magnificent historic home to get a better look.
As I returned home on the Warden #68 bus, I was already planning on returning to the lesser known areas within Tam O’Shanter-Sullivan. Kite flying tops my next to-do list, as the parks dotted throughout this neighbourhood would make perfect hosts on a blustery day.
Jesse Fleming is a freelance writer specializing in Toronto neighbourhoods.