The Yonge-Lawrence village is considered to be in the heart of uptown Toronto. It has a community feel, with family-friendly shops, such as sophisticated cafes to toy stores and family-friendly events such as fun fairs. There is also a wide selection of restaurants, from Italian to American to Indian.

Wanless Park plays a big part in the neighbourhood, providing residents with tennis courts, a wading pool, a playground, a basketball court and a baseball diamond. It is also home to the Wanless Park Community Tennis Club. There is also the Bedford Park Community Centre nearby, which, along with its facilities, hosts programs for all ages. The George Locke Public Library also hosts programs for children and adults.

In 1912, the developers of Toronto Suburbs Ltd., planned a subdivision for the old Waverly farm, which was located at Mt Pleasant and Lawrence. They named the subdivision Waverly Park. The plan to build it into a residential area was delayed because of World War I and the depression. In 1931, the City of Toronto created a park in the middle of the neighbourhood and named it Wanless Park after John Wanless, a former Toronto alderman and educator. Eventually, the whole neighbourhood took on the name Wanless Park.