Woodbridge is one of Vaughan’s oldest communities, situated west of Highway 400, east of Highway 50, north of Steeles Avenue, and south of Major Mackenzie Drive West. Full of young families, it’s an appealing mix of detached homes, townhomes and leafy-green streets.

Diversity is a hallmark of the area, with a significant number of Punjabi, Italian, Croatian and Spanish speakers. Transit expansion continues to make the area more accessible and easier to traverse – you’ll have no problem taking advantage of the area’s parks, shops and community centers.

Woodbridge Avenue west of Islington is the main street. A drive over the scenic bridge leads you to restaurants, shops and businesses anchored by the Market Lane Shopping Centre. On the same street you’ll find the Library and the Woodbridge Fairgrounds.

History

Initially named Burwick after Rowland Burr who settled in the area in 1835. When the hamlet grew big enough for mail surface, a name change was required because there was a town in Western Canada with the same name.

The name Woodbridge was first used in 1855 in reference to a wooden bridge that crossed the Humber River and denoted the entrance into town near what is today Islington Ave and Langstaff Rd.

Like a lot of Ontario villages, the arrival of the railway sparked the growth of Woodbridge. The Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway put Woodbridge on the map in 1870.

Agriculture was the primary industry in the early days of the village, with grain and flour mills along the Humber River and Abell Agricultural Works manufacturing agricultural equipment.

Population growth led to Woodbridge officially becoming a village in 1882. In the late 1800’s, Abell relocated to Toronto and this resulted in a decline in population and some tough times for the young village.

The Canadian Pacific Railway coming through Woodbridge in 1908 and the Toronto Suburban Railway Company’s Weston line in 1914 both helped turn the village’s fortunes. Then, in 1930, the construction of Highway 7 really helped fuel the villages development.

Over time the farm fields made way for the new homes and sports fields that you find in Woodbridge today.

The Ontario Soccer Center is located in Woodbridge at Vaughan Grove Sports Park. Those looking for hockey, skating and swimming programs can find them at The Woodbridge Pool & Memorial Arena.

Woodbridge is home to two private members only golf clubs, The National Golf Club of Canada and Board of Trade Golf & Country Club.

Originally Vaughan Township Hall, The Vellore Cultural Interpretive Centre has been beautifully restored and features two programming areas on the main level.

Woodbridge is home to two nature conservation areas. The Boyd Conservation Area is well-known for nature hiking and bird watching and also hosts outdoor concerts during the summer. The other conservation area is the Kortright Centre for Conservation which features 325 hectares of unspoiled woodlands and hosts world class sustainable education programs and events.