Introduction to Box Grove Community
Box Grove community is located in the southeast part of Markham and over the years has been transformed from mainly farmland into a large residential area – with good transport links and amenities. Read on to find out more about this area and why residents love living here!
Location
Located in the southeast, Box Grove’s boundaries run along Donald Cousins Parkway in the east, and along route 407 in the north. In the west, the boundary line runs south along Box Grove By-Pass. Then at 14th Avenue, it turns west until it meets the Rouge River and then runs south again following the river until it joins up with the southern boundary at Donald Cousins Parkway.
History of Box Grove Community
Box Grove was originally located on the west bank of Little Rouge Creek. William Beebe was one of the first foreigners to move into the neighbourhood in 1815. Many of the settlers in this time were Mennonite pioneer families. The community was registered under the name Sparta as a hamlet in 1850. In 1867, the Canada Confederation granted permission for a post office and the name Sparta was changed to Box Grove. At that time the hamlet had a sawmill a cotton mill and a wool factory. The neighbourhood also had a cheese factory, a hotel, and three taverns that served 150 people. It gained a reputation for being a working man’s village. Today, Box Grove has lost its industry but retained its population and recent residential growth has transformed most of its agricultural land into homes for Markham residents.
The Homes
Homes here vary from townhouses to large detached homes. Box Grove has something to offer everyone. There is a residents association, a Neighbourhood Watch programme, and planned social events.
Transport & Commuting
Commuters in Box Grove who need to get to downtown Toronto usually have around a 10-min drive from the Markham Village GO station or via the 407 from Unionville Go. This makes the total commute time around 28-45mins. Using public transport to get around Markham is slightly less convenient. Although there are York Region bus routes, most people use cars or bicycles to get around the area.
Shopping
There are two major plazas for shopping in Box Grove. The Box Grove Centre which is in the northeast corner of the neighbourhood at Copper Creek Drive and Box Grove By-Pass has a grocery store, a bank, an LCBO, some smaller businesses, plus some restaurants, takeaways, a medical centre, clinics, and a pharmacy. The other plaza is in the northwest corner. The Markham East Smart Centre has a Walmart, and a few other small businesses like hair and nail salons and a bank. There are some other small businesses along Copper Creek Drive such as a vet, a doggy daycare, convenience store, coffee shops, barbershop, and takeout restaurants. All in all, there are some good choices for shopping in this area.
Parks & Recreation
There are lots of parks to choose from in Box Grove from children’s playgrounds to nature trails – here is a list for you!
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- Ivan Reesor Parkette – children’s playground, grassy area, covered picnic area
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- Rizal Parkette – children’s playground, grassy area, covered picnic area
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- Rizal Park – children’s playground, zipline, basketball court, walking track, covered areas with benches
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- Collingham Parkette – grassy area with benches
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- George Couperthwaite Park – Vettese side: large grassy areas, children’s playground, splash pad, covered picnic area
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- George Couperthwaite Park – Kentview side: grassy areas, children’s playground, covered picnic area
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- Boxgrove Parkette South – grassy area with seating
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- Beebe Parkette – grassy area with seating
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- Tomlinson Park – Children’s playground, baseball diamond, soccer field, splash pad, jogging path, and grassy areas.
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- David Suzuki Park/Riverwak Park – Children’s playground, jogging paths, soccer field, basketball nets, grassy areas, and covered picnic area.
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- Fieldside Parkette – Grassy area with benches
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- Lunetta Park – a grassy garden area with a memorial statue, adjacent to a more natural area
Boxgrove Community Centre – once the old schoolhouse – was built in 1877. It is available to hire for community events and private functions. Nearby, the Aaniin Community Centre offers fitness facilities, swimming, a gymnasium, an indoor playground, an indoor walking/running track, and much more.
Schools in Box Grove Community
Box Grove has one elementary public school in the neighbourhood – David Suzuki Public School which is a well-respected school. Other elementary schools nearby are Legacy Public School and Sir Richard W Scott Catholic School. For more details, see this Complete Guide to Schools in Markham.
Conclusion
With an abundance of parks, excellent access to shopping stores, and good schools to choose from, this neighbourhood is an excellent choice for families. With some stunning homes in a great community setting – it is no wonder residents love Box Grove!
