Markland Wood

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Markland Wood is a quiet, residential neighbourhood located in Etobicoke (west Toronto), Ontario, Canada bounded by Etobicoke Creek to the west, Elmcrest (Renforth) Creek to the east and surrounded by the Markland Wood Country Club, golf course. Markland Wood is the western most residential community in Toronto along Bloor Street West, which cuts Markland Wood into approximately 1/3 to the south and 2/3 to the north. Markland Wood is part of the Etobicoke Centre riding for federal and provincial governments and Ward 3 for the municipal council.

1 History
2 Events
3 Neighbourhood Concerns
4 Schools
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] History

Markland Wood, or Mark’s Land, was purchased by Mark Cavotti from the Silverthorn family in September 1958. Development started in 1960 after the Conservation Authority determined the high water mark levels after Hurricane Hazel. The Markland Wood neighbourhood construction was completed in 1965. A detailed history of this area of Toronto can be seen at the Markland Wood website in the History section.

The Markland Homes Association was formed in 1962 to Create, Foster and Maintain the Community Spirit in Markland Wood. The MHA publishes Marklander Newsletter the oldest, continuous running, community newspaper in Toronto. It was first published in 1962 and now has 10 annual issues delivered to MHA members' households.

In 2005, the http://www.MarklandWood.org website was launched. Residents of Markland Wood can subscribe to the News(at)MarklandWood.org, email broadcast system, which keeps Marklanders up-to-date and informed of local and community events and concers.

2007 marked the 40th anniversary of the Markland Wood - Annual Christmas Caravan and Food Drive. This unique event and parade visits every household within the Markland Wood Circle to collect food, clothing and money for donation to various local charities. Usually there is over 17,000 pounds of food, a cube van of clothing and money collected.

On October 22nd, 2007, a massive fire struck the neighbourhood. New townhouses being built at 4333 Bloor St. W at Mill Rd. caught fire, burning the new townhouses to the ground. No one was injured. The same (now rebuilt) collection of townhouses was again struck by fire March 8, 2008. Fortunately, this time around, only one townhouse was damaged. The Toronto Police Services are treating these incidents as "suspicious."

[edit] Events

March/April - Annual Easter Egg Hunt - Held on Easter Monday for the community's children at Millwood Park.
April - Annual Environmental Day Clean Up - Toronto Clean Up Day! Held in conjunction with the City of Toronto and includes the Markland Wood community and the surrounding Etobicoke and Elmcrest (Renforth) Creeks, area schools & parks.
May - Annual Community Garage Sale - Held on the Saturday following Victoria Day which is usually the last Saturday of the month. Involves the whole Markland Wood community. This could be the "World's Largest Garage Sale!" event.
August - Family Fun Day - Held at the Millwood Park or Millwood JS.
September - Markland (Champagne/Marklandtini) Community Social. Held on the last Friday or Saturday of the month at the Markland Wood Golf Club.
December - Christmas Caravan & Food Drive - Food, Clothing & $$$ collection drive for charity. Held on the last or second last Sunday of the month, before Christmas.

[edit] Neighbourhood Concerns

The residents of Markland Wood share many of the same concerns as other GTA communities. Some of these concerns are:

Toronto Pearson International Airport sound/noise and operational issues as well as pollution.
Natural Gas Fired Electrical Generating Stations, including the Eastern, Greenfield South plant. See Against Eastern and CHIP websites for details.
Crime, Vandalism & Safety.