Downsview, Ontario
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Downsview is an area in the north end of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Downsview was originally a farm located in the 1870's near the present-day intersection of Keele and Wilson. It now extends beyond the intersection of Sheppard Avenue and Dufferin Street, in the former City of North York. The area includes several large post-WWII subdivisions. Within the area is the former site of Canadian Forces Base Downsview, which has since been largely converted following the end of the Cold War into an urban park known as Downsview Park.
Most of the houses were built following World War II and into the 1960's, though some new houses and condos are now being built near the Toronto Transit Commission's Downsview station. The subway ride is approximately 20 minutes south to downtown Toronto.
The east side of Dufferin Street is primarily residential, while the west side is industrial. This street has been relegated to a quiet service road in the adjacent neighborhood of Bathurst Manor. Immediately beside Dufferin Street, a major Toronto artery, the Allen Road, now brings large traffic volumes from Ontario Highway 401 (the busiest section of freeway in North America) just a minute south, as well as to downtown Toronto further south and rapidly developing York Region to the north.
On Sunday, July 28, 2002, over 800,000 Catholics joined Pope John Paul II for a Papal Mass which was held at Downsview Park for World Youth Day.
And on July 30, 2003, a massive concert was also held there to support the City of Toronto after SARS affected the city. The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Rush and Justin Timberlake entertained hundreds of thousands of music fans from over the world. It was reportedly the largest ticketed event in history.