Weston Ontario, which is located in what is now north-western Toronto, is one of the oldest settlements in the Greater Toronto Area. First inhabited by European settlers in the 1790’s, the Weston area was chosen for it’s close proximity to the Humber River, which was used to help transfer logs down-river from a saw mill that was built in the area. Originally called “The Humber”, Weston used to stretch out from both the east and west sides of the river. But after a devastating flood wiped out much of the town in 1850, it was renamed to Weston and primarily rebuilt on the east side, and the west eventually merged into Etobicoke.
Weston at one point stretched as far south as Scarlett Road and Eglinton Avenue West.
Local Attractions
Weston Arena
Santa Clause Parade
Weston Skate Park
Weston Lions
Weston Public Library and Historical Society
Local Issues
In recent years, Weston has earned itself a rather bad representation. Weston has developed a high crime rate, being a popular area for armed robberies, sexual harassment and even murders. Police sirens have become as common a sound as the trains going by on the VIA rail and GO transit railways. This has caused there to not be one, but two police division stations placed in the neighbourhood - one at Black Creek and Jane, the other at Weston and Lawrence.
On the Political side, the proposed high-speed rail link connecting Union Station to Pearson International
Airport. The planned rail would stop at the current Weston GO station stop, but would also require certain
side-streets to be blocked off, mainly King and John Streets(not to be confused with the Downtown streets). These streets run east-west, and are used by many local residents to travel from Jane Street on the east end, to Weston Road in the west.
Local News Story
A current local news story would be the recent return of the Weston Santa Clause Parade. Much like Toronto’s downtown, Weston once a year hosts a variety of floats, marching bands, local residents and Old Saint Nicholas himself as they march down Weston Road. The Parade usually starts at St. Phillips Road and heads south down Weston Road to Jane Street. As in other years, Weston’s parade took place one week after the City of Toronto’s on November 28, 2010. Some special guests included Toronto sports team mascots, including Toronto Maple Leafs Carlton the Bear, as well as newly elected Toronto Mayor, Rob Ford.
Local Councilor Francis Nunziata hands out Candy with Rob Ford
Local Legends
Weston Ontario has produced some amazing young talent at its Weston Arena. Two notable players have graced the ice of the Weston Minor Hockey League, and gone on to be major talent in the Nation Hockey League. The first is one of the greatest defenseman the NHL has ever seen, Paul Coffey. Born in Weston in 1961, Coffey is the highest scoring defenseman in NHL history. Another prominent player, and friend to Coffey, is Adam Oates. A great offensive forward, Oates opted to live in Weston even after he got the call to the big leagues. These two NHL greats are still local heroes, and their images are proudly displayed within the local arena.
External Links
http://welcometoweston.ca/
http://heritageweston.com/
http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/cns_profiles/cns113.htm
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