History and Geography
Don Mills got its name from the Don River that used run right where the DVP is now and there used to be two textile mills here. they got washed away by a great flood in the early 1950's, plans started for a new neighbourhood to be built in the area. don mills was the first planned community, which means it was built in clusters with crescent and drives so no major traffic would through. schools, churches, community centres and shops were also built to accommodate the neighbourhood so people didn't need to drive long distances for anything. Everything was within walking distance, young families started moving here at an extremely large numbers. by 1965 all the clusters were finished being built on over 800 hectares between what is now Leslie St to Victoria park avenue.
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Local Attractions
The Science Centre
One of Don Mills most well known attractions is the Ontario Science Centre . The Science Centre is a great place to spend your day and it's perfect for school field trips of all grades. It has over a hundred exhibits including the science of nature , astronomical science , music and technology ,and human anatomy . It was home for the Harry Potter exhibition in 2010 and this year they held a video game history exibition .
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Shops at Don Mills
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Problems and Issues
Traffic Congestion
With a new mall in the Don mills area a few high rises and the shepherd subway, the traffic in Don mills has become over congested and many of the older residents are angry over that fact. many people moved to the area because of its central location to the DVP and 401where this location is close to downtown and uptown. But with many people moving with 2 cars the traffic has become a huge issue along with noise, pollution and overcrowding. This area was built for the precise opposite purpose, with col de sacs and crescents to control this exact problem now facing the neighbourhood.
Current News Story
Don Mills Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong might run for Mayor
Councillor Minnin-Wong has been representing this area for over 20 years and he's done a phenomenal job for the residents of this neighbourhood. he's been a supporter of our current mayor in the past and worked on projects together to make Don Mills the great community it has become. but in recent days with the allegations of Mayor Rob Ford drinking and drug use, Councillor Minnin -Wong has urged Ford to enter rehabilitation facility. when asked if he would run for Mayor he did not totally dismiss the idea so the interviewer on CP24 is reading between the lines as a yes. Minninan -Wong wanted to see proof first before he throws his hat into the race, and in recent reports and the Mayor admitting to his crack use this should make his decision much easier.
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Local Person Profile
Donna Hill
Donna Hill has been living in Don Mills since 1953.She is originally from the United States .she was from Ohio and attended Oberlin University for 4 years and decided to work in the human rights field. She met her future husband Dan Hill (a African American man) while working for a senator in Washington. He decided to do his graduate degree at University of Toronto because he thought Canada to be a more forward thinking country. They lived in a house with a friend who went away and let them stay there. The area was just being built in the Lawrence and Don Mills area , there was no Don Valley parkway then and the houses where she lives was just being dug. The Hills saved money and put a down payment on a 4-bedroom home that they bought for 24 thousand dollars. Dan was teaching at the university and Donna had to stay home with the 3 kids they had because there was no maternity leave or day care at the time. Donna said even though they were bi racial couple they never had any different treatment from the young couples with children that lived around them.
