Is Secor Gardens safe?
Toledo, Ohio · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Secor Gardens as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Secor Gardens
“Go with care. Secor Gardens is primarily a quiet, working-class residential neighborhood, but it borders busier commercial corridors with elevated rates of property theft and occasional street crime. Daytime visits are generally uneventful, but standard urban precautions are advised after dark.”
About the area
Secor Gardens is a modest residential neighborhood in West Toledo situated just south of the University of Toledo area. It consists largely of mid-century single-family homes with nearby strip retail along major thoroughfares like Secor Road and Dorr Street.
- Residential Pocket
- Working-Class
- Car-Dependent
- University Adjacent
Walking and biking in Secor Gardens
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 52/100
While dedicated bike lanes within Secor Gardens are limited, cyclists can easily access the University Parks Trail just north of the neighborhood for safe, off-street riding across Lucas County.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower violent crime incidence compared to central and East Toledo neighborhoods
- Close proximity to the University of Toledo campus, healthcare facilities, and Ottawa Park
- Established residential layout with stable long-term homeowners on interior blocks
Cons
- Property crime, vehicle break-ins, and opportunistic theft elevated along commercial borders
- Pockets of aging rental housing and modest economic distress reflected in lower median incomes
- Limited street lighting and occasional nuisance disturbances along major road edges at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal on the interior residential streets, though occasional panhandling and unhoused individuals can be observed near major bus stops and retail plazas along Dorr Street and Secor Road.
What Secor Gardens is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet as residents commute, making it safe for morning strolls or dog walking.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential atmosphere with moderate traffic on perimeter arteries; generally safe for everyday errands.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Commercial strips see steady diner traffic, while residential streets stay dim and require basic situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Activity drops significantly; walking alone late at night is not recommended due to reduced visibility and property crime risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by TARTA (Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority), with Route 5 and Route 26 operating along Secor Road and Dorr Street offering direct connections to downtown Toledo and the University of Toledo transit loop.
Free residential street parking is widely available throughout the neighborhood, and commercial businesses offer dedicated surface parking lots with no meter fees.
Things to do in Secor Gardens
- Visit Ottawa Park nearby to enjoy its public golf course, walking trails, and historic open spaces
- Explore the nearby University of Toledo campus and its collegiate Gothic architecture
- Browse local shops and dining options along the Secor Road and Dorr Street commercial corridors
Local favorites
- Original Sub Shop & Deli · Sandwich Shop · 4.6★ (1100)Longstanding local deli known for generous hot subs, specialty sandwiches, and casual counter service.
- Schmucker's Restaurant · Diner · 4.7★ (2350)Historic retro diner serving classic comfort food staples and dozens of homemade pie varieties.
- Bambino's Pizza & Subs · Pizza Restaurant · 4.3★ (480)Popular neighborhood outpost offering specialty pizzas, calzones, and wings for takeout and delivery.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.
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