Junction Triangle

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Junction Triangle is a Toronto neighbourhood in the west end. It sits inside a triangular ring formed by three railways: the CN/CPR mainline to the west, the GO Barrie line to the east, and CPR lines to the north. Bloor Street runs through the middle, with Dupont Street to the north edge and Dundas Street near the south boundary.

History and name
The area began as a triangular piece of farmland sold in 1887. It was never an official village, but locals used the name Junction Triangle. In 2009 residents started a campaign to formalize a name, and the city has used Junction Triangle since the 1970s. For community purposes it falls within the Dovercourt-Wallace-Emerson-Junction district.

Industry and community
The wedge was once full of factories making paint, ceramics, and chemicals, near the Ontario Stock Yards. Immigrant workers from Italy, Poland, and Macedonia settled here, followed later by many Portuguese from the Azores. From the 1970s, pollution concerns grew as factories operated close to homes and schools, including a notable 1988 glue-factory explosion.

Change and development
From the 1990s many plants closed or were converted to lofts, leaving large brownfields. The Nestlé factory at 72 Sterling Road still operates and can sometimes give off a chocolate smell. Today the area attracts young professionals and families, while Portuguese influence remains strong.

Today and amenities
Junction Triangle is seen as a hidden gem because of its transit access and proximity to downtown. Campbell Park and Campbell Rink offer skating, a community kitchen, youth programs, and seasonal events. The West Toronto Railpath runs through the area, and a GO MobilityHub is planned around Bloor Street. In 2006 the neighborhood had about 6,700 residents with incomes below the city average.