
Eastern Scarborough's Nature-Rich Heritage Village
Highland Creek is a neighbourhood in the far eastern reaches of Scarborough that manages to feel like a small Ontario town while remaining firmly within Toronto's city limits. The historic village core along Old Kingston Road features a handful of century-old buildings, a community centre, and a bridge over Highland Creek that evokes a bygone era. This village character is genuine — Highland Creek was a distinct settlement long before Scarborough's post-war suburban expansion swallowed the surrounding farmland. The residential areas beyond the village core are more typically suburban, with 1960s and 1970s split-levels and bungalows on quiet crescents, alongside newer subdivisions and townhouse developments that have filled in the remaining open land. The University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC) is located immediately to the west, bringing a student population and academic energy that has stimulated new retail and restaurant development along Military Trail and Ellesmere Road. The Highland Creek ravine system is the neighbourhood's natural treasure, a wooded valley that winds through the community providing trails for walking, cycling, and birdwatching. The annual Highland Creek Heritage Festival celebrates the area's history and community spirit. For those who value green space, a sense of history, and a quieter pace of life within the boundaries of Canada's largest city, Highland Creek delivers a rare combination.
Walkability
38/100 - Car-Dependent
Transit
Highland Creek and Military Trail bus routes; proximity to UTSC shuttle; future Scarborough transit improvements
Vibe
Village-like, nature-rich, suburban, heritage
Car-Dependent
Minimal Transit
Minimal Infrastructure
The best-rated spots right in the neighbourhood, from cosy cafes to beautiful parks.
364 Old Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 1B6, Canada
376 Old Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 1B6, Canada
Parade Square, Scarborough, ON M1C 3T6, Canada
371 Old Kingston Rd Unit 11, Scarborough, ON M1C 3C8, Canada
400 Old Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 1B6, Canada
370 Old Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 4Z1, Canada
371 Old Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 1B7, Canada
402 Old Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 1B6, Canada
3600 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 4Y8, Canada
404 Old Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 1B6, Canada
384 Old Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 1B6, Canada
360 Old Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 1B6, Canada
6091 Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 1K5, Canada
371 Old Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 1B7, Canada
3500 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 1H5, Canada
101 Canmore Blvd, Toronto, ON M1C 3R9, Canada
15 Bramber Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 4X3, Canada
30 Tanis Crescent, Scarborough, ON M1C 4Z8, Canada
Lavery Trail Park, 40 Lavery Trail, Scarborough, ON M1C 4T3, Canada
3550 Ellesmere Rd, Toronto, ON M1C 3Z2, Canada
Upcoming events, festivals, and community gatherings across the city.
Princess of Wales Theatre
St. Lawrence Market
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
MaRS Discovery District
The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar
The Second City Toronto
Explore the communities surrounding Highland Creek.
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