The Old Oakville Community extends from the Lake Ontario shoreline in the south to the Queen Elizabeth Way in the north, and from Appleby College and Morden Road on the west, to Morrison Creek in the east. The community focuses on the harbour at the mouth of the Sixteen Mile Creek. The Community encompasses the neighbourhoods more traditionally known as Central Oakville (or The Core) and Old Oakville.
The community includes an area of historic homes south of the Downtown Business Core, which, at one time, formed most of the original Oakville settlement. Other nearby residential neighbourhoods also contain many homes dating from the turn of the century.
The Downtown Oakville commercial area maintains its village atmosphere and charm, while performing as a dynamic retail district of more than 350 businesses. The downtown area, steps away from Oakville Harbour, is known for its rich heritage, broad customer base, and sense of community.
The Kerr Street Business District provides a unique combination of residential and commercial uses.
The Old Oakville Community contains Oakville's only hospital, Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH), located between Reynolds Street and Allan Street. The facility was renovated and expanded in 1994-1995. The Wyndham Manor Long Term Care Centre is located adjacent to the hospital.
The community contains three public elementary schools, two separate elementary schools, one separate secondary school, and three private schools. Other institutional facilities located in the community are a number of senior citizens' residences, March of Dimes residential building and the Lion's Foundation.
The Old Oakville Community is one of the oldest communities in the Town of Oakville. It has an estimated population of 17,655 persons for the year 2001. There is a high proportion of people aged 65 years and older residing in the community of Old Oakville as according to the 2001 census, 20% of the Old Oakville population was made up of senior citizens. This is almost double the percentage of 10.9% for the entire Town of Oakville.
The Old Oakville Community includes areas of historic homes south and north of the Central Business District, which at one time formed most of the original Oakville settlement.
Existing medium density redevelopment is expected to continue, which will provide modest population increases. The housing mix consists of single-family homes, apartment buildings, semi-detached units, townhouses and combined residential/commercial buildings.
Oakville's Official Plan promotes the preservation of the higher quality older neighbourhood with its many historic buildings. Proposed development and any re-development are to be carried out at a scale, and with a character, in sympathy with the surrounding residential neighbourhoods.
Commercial uses in this community are within three main shopping districts:
The Old Oakville Central Business District
The Kerr Street Community Shopping Area
The Cross Avenue Community Shopping and Arterial Commercial Area
The Old Oakville Central Business District
This area serves as a major downtown centre for the Town of Oakville as well as providing community shopping facilities for the Old Oakville Community. In the downtown area, there are residential uses combined with the commercial uses that promote a lively, active downtown core area.
The Old Oakville Central Business District has been designated as a Community Improvement Area. Significant improvements have occurred in this downtown core area. Efforts have been made to protect adjacent residential neighbourhoods.
The Kerr Street Business District
The central focus for the Kerr Street commercial facilities is at the Kerr Street/Cowan Avenue intersection. Cowan Avenue has been closed and developed into a pedestrian plaza.
The Kerr Street Business district has been designated as a Community Improvement Area.
The Cross Avenue Community Shopping and Arterial Commercial Area
The area contains Trafalgar Village Mall which is a community shopping centre, hotel accommodations and many restaurants.
Other Amenities
The Old Oakville Community is unique in terms of the variety of amenities located within its boundaries. Some of the more notable amenities are:
Oakville Harbour: Oakville Harbour is located at the mouth of the Sixteen Mile Creek, and is surrounded by old residential neighbourhoods. The harbour area is a major Waterfront Park used for pleasure boating, fishing and skating. It includes restaurant and shopping facilities on the banks of the Sixteen Mile Creek, as well as the Town's historical Museum at Erchless Estate.
Sixteen Mile Creek: The Sixteen Mile Creek Area contains major public parkland, walkways, recreational facilities, and is designated as an environmental protection area.
Waterfront Park: This community has numerous waterfront parks of various sizes on Lake Ontario. The Lake Ontario shoreline is in close proximity to the old residential neighbourhoods and the downtown core area.
Towne Square: Located in the downtown core area on Lakeshore Road, it is a public square with a grassed area complete with a water feature. It is used for various public events throughout the year as well as by downtown shoppers and workers as it is surrounded by retail outlets and restaurants.
Centennial Plaza: Located at Lakeshore Road and Navy Street, it contains the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Oakville's Main Library, an indoor pool and an outdoor plaza area, all of which overlook the Sixteen Mile Creek.
Cowan Avenue Plaza: Located on the west side of Kerr Street is a landscaped pedestrian plaza. It is enjoyed for public events by shoppers and employees along Kerr Street.
Community Park: Trafalgar Park is the community park within the Old Oakville Community. It is located on Rebecca Street, west of Kerr Street. Trafalgar Park contains an arena, outdoor pool and tennis courts.
Local Parks: This community contains eleven Parkettes (generally less than 1 hectare in size); six Neighbourhood Parks (generally a minimum of 2 hectares in size); four Special Parks; and four Natural Environmental Parks. The Parks and Recreation Department maintains all of the local parks throughout the community to service the needs of the local neighbourhoods.
