Parkway Forest is best understood through its residential architecture and the relationship between the community and the edge of the ravine. The street network of Parkway West extends south and west to the edges of the Don River ravine; at the same time, its groups of houses tell the story of different design approaches. If you are interested in community planning, this combination offers a concrete glimpse into the area’s history.

Parkway West and the History of Its Houses

In 1957, Don Mills Developments launched Parkway West as a distinct community. In the spring of that year, Nisco Construction put 14 houses in five different styles on the market there. The community’s development and a varied range of house forms thus came into focus in the same year.

The architecture of the houses offered by Nisco Construction is characterized as conservative, moderate modernism. Attached carports or garages were a feature of all Nisco house models. Alongside the five styles, the houses therefore share a common architectural feature without being reduced to a single type.

A 1961 architectural description identifies Alvarado Place as a group of houses in Parkway West, Don Mills, Ontario. It lists J. A. Murray as the designer and Geo. Slightham Ltd. as the construction company. The year refers to the description of the design history.

The Yarmon Residence at 12 Spinney Court was designed by Henry Fliess on commission from its owner and is considered a notable example. For a small group of houses in Parkway West, the builder Roy P. Rogers Enterprises and architects James A. Murray and Henry Fliess faced the unusual and difficult task of adapting the buildings to the terrain. Together, these names illustrate different facets of local building history: individual homes, construction companies, and the challenge of adapting buildings to the landscape.

Street Layout and the Edge of the Ravine

A small group of houses in Parkway West, Don Mills, Toronto, overlooks a ravine and is accessed by a loop road with a hairpin turn. The broad boulevards Laurentide Drive and Three Valleys Drive connect a network of curving residential streets and cul-de-sacs. The street network extends south and west to the edges of the Don River ravine.

Parkway West lies southwest of York Mills Road and the Don Valley Parkway. Two scales help orient visitors: access to a group of houses via a single loop road with a hairpin turn, and the larger network of boulevards, residential streets, and cul-de-sacs that extends to the ravine.

Residential Setting and Landscape History

Historically, Parkway West was a traditional suburban community for the upper-middle to upper professional and managerial classes. Its landscaping included the transition from the golf facilities of the Donalda Club to naturalistic parks and tree belts with mature trees. The area’s history therefore encompasses not only its buildings but also a description of its designed landscape.

Historically, the Donalda Club was also among Parkway West’s amenities. The club offers members’ guests golf, tennis, and shared dinners for the extended family; guests must be accompanied by a member. If you plan to include these club offerings in your itinerary, keep this access requirement in mind.

Discover more destinations: Scarborough, Rexdale, Eringate.

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