Rosedale, Toronto

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Rosedale is one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Based on home pricing, it is considered amongst the most desirable neighbourhoods in Canada. It is known as the area where the city's "old money" lives, and is home to some of Canada's richest and most famous citizens. Rosedale is unique in that it is surrounded by beautiful ravines and parkland that make you feel as if you are far away from the city, while in reality Rosedale is just a few minutes from Toronto's major business, entertainment, and shopping districts. Rosedale has convoluted routes through the neighbourhood and other physical boundaries, and thus it has low levels of vehicular traffic.

Rosedale, which is roughly bounded by the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks to the north, Yonge Street to the west, Rosedale Valley Road to the south, and Bayview Avenue to the east, is divided into a north and south portion by the Park Drive Ravine. South Rosedale was first settled by Sheriff William Jarvis and his wife, Mary, in the 1820s. Mary Jarvis, whose frequent walks and horseback rides blazed the trails for Rosedale's meandering streets (which are one of the area's trademarks), named Rosedale as a tribute to the abundance of wild roses that graced the hillsides of the Jarvis estate. The Jarvis Family sold the Rosedale homestead in 1864, which led to the residential development of the area soon after.

North Rosedale's development began after the construction of a bridge across the Park Drive Ravine, in 1909. Prior to its development, North Rosedale was the home of St. Andrew's College, an all-boys boarding school (which has since moved to Aurora, Ontario) and the Rosedale Golf Club. South Rosedale is currently home to an exclusive all-girls school, Branksome Hall. Rosedale Public School is a small elementary school in central Rosedale that is across the street from Rosedale's community center: Mooredale House.

Although Rosedale has held the distinction of being Toronto's wealthiest neighbourhood for over 100 years, its status has, in recent years, been challenged by Forest Hill, The Kingsway and the Bridle Path.

Rosedale Park is home to the annual spring park party, Mayfair. The event typically consists of rides, games, flea market and other such carnival-type activities. The event is traditionally on the first Saturday in May.