Downsview Park, already Toronto’s largest park, is undergoing a massive revitalization. One of the most important real estate projects ever under the Canada Lands Company's purvue, the master-plan includes the creation of new and revitalized parkland, five new residential neighbourhoods, commercial buildings and educational institutions that together will form Canada's only national urban park.

According to the official Downsview Park website, the new residential neighbourhoods will include: "five integrated urban neighbourhoods (that)... create a model of progressive sustainable urban development." The five neighbourhoods will be Staney Greene, William Baker, Sheppard, Chesswood and Allen. One of the largest residential developents already underway is Downsview Park, named for the park itself. A joint partnership between Mattamy Homes and Urbancorp, this new community will include close to 500 townhomes, around 550 mid-rise apartment units as well as 29 single-family homes.

five integrated neighbourhoods with a full range of land uses to create a model of progressive sustainable urban development. Five related neighbourhoods will be developed : Stanley Greene; William Baker; Sheppard; Chesswood; and Allen. - See more at: http://downsviewpark.ca/content/about-downsview-park-0#sthash.JBFjVeu7.dpuf

ive integrated neighbourhoods with a full range of land uses to create a model of progressive sustainable urban development. Five related neighbourhoods will be developed : Stanley Greene; William Baker; Sheppard; Chesswood; and Allen. - See more at: http://downsviewpark.ca/content/about-downsview-park-0#sthash.JBFjVeu7.dpuf

ive integrated neighbourhoods with a full range of land uses to create a model of progressive sustainable urban development. Five related neighbourhoods will be developed : Stanley Greene; William Baker; Sheppard; Chesswood; and Allen. - See more at: http://downsviewpark.ca/content/about-downsview-park-0#sthash.JBFjVeu7.dpuf

In addition to creating a unique  urban park the development includes five integrated neighbourhoods with a full range of land uses to create a model of progressive sustainable urban development. Five related neighbourhoods will be developed : Stanley Greene; William Baker; Sheppard; Chesswood; and Allen. - See more at: http://downsviewpark.ca/content/about-downsview-park-0#sthash.JBFjVeu7.dpuf

Despite being one of the largest development projects ever in Toronto with Federal Government backing, at time of writing this, Ottawa seems to be flailing on the specifics after 15 years of planning. The exact future of the Downsview Park revitalization is not certain as the feds turn their attention to Rouge Park and debate selling off parts of Downsview. The hold-ups and close-lipped approach has local councillors fighting for Ottawa to hand over Downsview Park land.

That said, whether the master-plan gets fulfilled to 100% of it's original vision or not, there are a heck of a lot of perks to Downsview Park in its current state, particularly as it already underwent the first parts of the revitalization which launched to the public back in 2012. Downsview Park is already well-equipped with over 300 acres of natural land and developed spaces including family play and sports areas, camps and school programming, a Discovery Centre, the Canadian Air and Space Museum, a skate park, soccer leagues, arts and music programs and a ton of fun activities including paintball, roller derby, go-karting and even a circus school.

Plus, there are family events throughout the year including a fall festival and the popular trail of lights during the Christmas season. So any future development here will only improve what's already a great thing.

Downsview is probably the best neighborhood in Toronto for shopping amenities. It’s a short drive to some of the city’s most popular malls including Yorkdale and Sheridan plus smaller but well-stocked malls like Lawrence Square and Sheppard Plaza.