The City of Orillia is located just one hour away from the Greater Toronto Area and 30 minutes from the City of Barrie. Ward 1 Orillia is made up of a few smaller communities, Orchard’s Point, Sophie’s Landing, and Parkside Estates. Homes in old Atherley date back from a variety of eras, with some new additions interspersed. Lakeside living is prominent in this neighborhood with proximity to Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching.
Orchard Point is located at the narrows between Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching and has a variety of different housing options like condos, attached and detached homes, and townhomes. You will also find a variety of lakeside properties desirable for those wanting a hint of luxury living in their home. Those who live in Sophie’s Landing are surrounded by the beauty of nature with many walking trails within. Lastly, the Parkside Estate neighborhood is a mobile home community. Some individuals live there all year round and others use their properties for seasonal pleasure.
Ward 1 has close access to highway 11 for those traveling to the city for work. The South route of the Orillia Public Transit system will bring you inside the neighborhood providing a couple of options to move about the city.
The City of Orillia has seen major developments in recent years, and Ward 1 has seen a couple of new developments begin within the neighborhood. The Mariner’s Pier by Royal Park Homes is a townhouse development on Atherley Road that’s currently in its pre-construction phase. They have two- and three-bedroom options available, with rooftop terraces and private boat slips.
Some local elementary school options for this neighborhood are Regent Park Public School, Samuel De Champlain, and St. Bernard’s Catholic School. Local high schools Twin Lakes Secondary School and Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School are both great options. For younger families looking for child daycare options, Learn A Lot Tots, and Atherley Home Daycare are both within proximity to the Orchard Points and Sophie’s Landing communities.
Within the Sophie’s Landing Community, the Gordon Lightfoot Trail is a multi-recreational trail just minutes away. There are paved and gravel areas connecting Uhthoff Trail to Atherley Narrows. In the Winter many people enjoy using this trail for snowmobiling.
Kitchener Park is a 25-acre park located directly across from the Parkside Estates community. It has a variety of sports fields, baseball diamonds, and green space for all to enjoy. There are picnic tables for those wanting to enjoy a nice picnic during the summer and in the Wintertime the City of Orillia will build an outdoor skating rink within the park for kids to enjoy. Tudhope Park is also local to this neighborhood. This 65-acre park is a haven for residents and visitors alike. Located along Lake Couchiching it attracts water lovers to its popular Moose Beach swimming area. For those who enjoy walking, Tudhope Park also has a walking trail that follows the perimeter of the park. The trail is all one level and even ground making it accessible for everyone.
Ward 1 is near major amenities like grocery stores, gas stations, big-box stores, and the downtown center. Some local grocery store options are Metro, Zehr’s, and Walmart Supercentre. About 15 minutes from the neighborhood, you will find Smart centers Orillia which hosts a variety of big-box retail stores.
Downtown Orillia has a diverse array of local restaurants and shops and is just five minutes away from the neighborhood. Some popular restaurants downtown are Rustica Pizza Vino, the Common Stove, and Mariposa Market. Afterward, take a stroll down the main strip to discover some unique local shops.
Ward 1 in Orillia is a desirable place to live and provides quick access to important major amenities. There are some great local school options for kids, and plenty of options to enjoy the outdoors.
-The BDAR Team