Centered on the intersection of Yonge Street and St Clair Avenue, Deer Park is different from many upscale Central Toronto neighbourhoods in that its homes are not isolated in a quiet pocket. Instead, the residential streets spill out into the heart of one of Toronto's busiest shopping, entertainment and business districts.

Deer Park was referred to by the First Nations people as Mushquoteh, which means a meadow or opening in the woods where deer come to feed. In 1837, the Heath family purchased 40 acres of land in Mushquoteh and appropriately named their estate Deer Park. By the 1850's, the Deer Park area had grown to include a handful of country villas, general store, school, cemetary, race track and a hotel located at the Yonge & St Clair intersection. Patrons at the Deer Park Hotel used to delight in feeding the deer that roamed on the hotel grounds. By the 1930's, Deer Park was established as one of Toronto's finest residential neighbourhoods.

Deer Park's commercial centre provides a good balance for this neighbourhood which is surrounded by lush green parkland, majestic trees and the Vale of Avoca Ravine. Revered for its educational institutions, Deer Park is home to Upper Canada College, The York School, The Linden School, De La Salle College, Deer Park Public and Brown Junior Public Schools.

Deer Park has a wonderful mix of detached and semi-detached houses that encompass a variety of architectural styles. Most of the original houses were built between 1875 and 1920. Deer Park also contains a fair number of newer townhomes that blend in well with the older homes, as well as one of the largest selections of luxury condominium buildings in Toronto.