Parkdale: Village Of Parkdale

History:
The village of Parkdale is a very diverse community with many attractions and events. Parkdale was incorporated in Toronto in 1879 and officially became known as the town of Parkdale in 1886. Parkdale was one of the most wealthy and influential areas of Toronto. Now Parkdale is filled with a lively night life and an assortment of restaurants. Parkdale is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Toronto and is popular among tourist based on its amazing architectual significance.

Location:
Parkdale is located near the heart of downtown Toronto. It is by lakeshore and the Gardiner expressway. It runs along the Queen Street between Dufferin Street and Roncesvilles Ave. The main intersection that Parkdale emcompasses is Queen Str. W. and Lansdowne Ave. Parkdale is right next to Liberty Village and High Park. Parkdale is also located near the exhibition grounds.

Attractions:
Parkdale has a wide variety of entertaining attractions. From the exhibition to local bars and clubs, there is no shortage of fun and excitment in this wonderful community. No matter what type of person you are, there is something in Parkdale that will catch your eye. Some attractions in Parkdale are: The Parkdale Drink (club/bar), The Exhibition Place, and Rhino (club/bar). There are many more attractions to view in the Village of Parkdale but these are the most popular and eye catching.

The Parkdale Drink
The Parkdale Drink is the neighborhoods local community celebration hangout. Many functions have happened here and it remains one of the areas most popular clubs.

Rhino
This a one of the most exciting clubs in Parkdale. It is always jam packed with fun and interesting people. It has been a part of the community for over decade, but still remains modern.

The Exhibition Place
The Exhibition grounds is home to many attractions, such as, Medevil Times, BMO field, and the Ricoh Coliseum. The grounds is also home to Canada's largest fair, the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition).

Medievil Times is a great family restaurant with live entertainment mimicing the middle ages.

The BMO Field is where Toronto's soccer team plays, The Toronto FC.

The Ricoh Coliseum is where Toronto's minor hockey league team plays, The Marlies.

The CNE is Canada's largest and most exciting carnival, it comes to the Exhibition place in mid August to the beginning of September.

Negatives:
The Village of Parkdale has transformed through its many years of exsistence, it has become one of the worst neightborhoods for gang and drug activity. Parkdale is known to many as the "crack central" of Toronto. Over the past decade, there has been many police raids throughtout the area, uncovering millions of dollars worth of drugs and weapons. Parkdale is percieved as an area filled with violence in the media. Parkdale faces one of the worst crackhead infections in any Canadian neighborhood. Along side the drugs and guns, the community also struggles with the business of prostitution and people in poverty.

Current News:
During the month of April, Parkdale residents were filled with fear by reason of a serial attacker lurking around the community. The attacker targeted older citizens, he would assault the victim and then proceed with pirating their belongings. The criminal was a middle aged man named Ricardo Morrison. The serial attacker would make is presence known every few days; however, few of attempts were unsuccessful. Some of his attacks were more serious resulting in Morrison murdering the victim. About three weeks after he began terrorizing residents of Parkdale, police took him into custody and out of our lives.

Gus Ryder:
To talk about great civilians and local heros, Gus Ryder was all that and more. Augustus Joseph "Gus" Ryder was born on January 11, 1899. Ryder was most famous for coaching Marilyn Bell, who swam accross lake Ontario. Throughtout his amazing life, Gus Ryder saved 47 people from drowning; in addition, Gus taught an estimated 200,000 people how to swim thus, ensuring water safety for many of Canadians. Even at old age, Ryder still caught headlines by catching gold at the Senior Olympics for handball when he was 78. He was admired all his life. In 1955, he was named Canada's man of the year, and was named to the Order of Canada in 1975. Gus Ryder accomplished many things in his life, and will always be remember as one of the true great Parkdalians.