David Dunlap Observatory

In January 2017, the Town posted an Expression of Interest to seek proposals for future programming at the DDO site. Staff are currently reviewing the proposals.

Staff are also conducting a building conditional assessment which includes the mechanical, electrical, structural and life safety systems. The assessment will identify upgrades to the building so that it is safe for public use.

Once the site and building conditional assessment is complete, staff will report to Council on the recommendations of the improvements necessary to the buildings (including cost and timing) as well as recommendations for programming. 

History

• The David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) property was 76.5 hectares (189 acres) bordered by Hillsview Drive to the north, Bayview Avenue to the east, 16th Avenue to the south and the Canadian National Railway Bala Line to the west.
• The property was the site of a 19th century farmstead owned by Alexander Marsh, comprised of a brick farmhouse, a lane from Yonge Street, agricultural fields with hedgerows and an orchard.
• When the observatory in downtown Toronto could no longer function due to light pollution, the University of Toronto identified the Marsh farmstead as being suitable for a new astronomical facility. As a result, Jessie Donalda Dunlap purchased the property and donated it to the University as a memorial to her husband, David Alexander Dunlap, who was an avid astronomer.
• The University constructed the Observatory on the site. It included a dome, housing a 74-inch (1.88m) reflector telescope, and an Administration Building, with three smaller telescope domes. When construction was complete in 1935, the main telescope was the second largest in the world and the largest in Canada.
• From 1935 to the early 1970s, the Observatory was at the forefront of Canadian astronomical research. Achievements at the site included advances in radio astronomy and the first direct evidence that the star Cygnus X-1 was a black hole.
• In June 2008, the University sold the property to Corsica Developments Inc.
• The sale and subsequent development proposal by Corsica caused concern in the community. In response, Richmond Hill undertook a number of important studies to protect the features on the property which are of cultural and natural heritage significance. Additionally, Richmond Hill passed a heritage designation by-law to ensure that the significant cultural heritage features on the property are protected.
• In 2012, Richmond Hill, York Region, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the David Dunlap Observatory Defenders reached an agreement with Corsica through Ontario Municipal Board mediation. Corsica agreed to transfer approximately half of the property (40 hectares, 99 acres) to Richmond Hill for public park use and cultural heritage protection in exchange for approval to develop the east portion of the property as a subdivision.

DDO Park

The DDO Park includes the 40 hectares (approximately 100 acres) of land that was protected from development.

The DDO Park Master Plan sets out a vision for the future enhancement, management and programming of the DDO Park.

The Master Plan was developed through a process that involved extensive public consultation and was approved by Council on September 26, 2016.

DDO Park Master Plan
Minutes of Settlement

DDO Principles and Options Report

For more information about the DDO Park Master Plan, contact:

Tracey Steele, Manager of Park and Natural Heritage Planning
905-771-2476
tracey.steele@richmondhill.ca

Observatory Hill Subdivision

In April 2010, Corsica submitted Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to Richmond Hill for the DDO property. The original proposal submitted by Corsica included 833 homes spread out across the majority of the DDO site. The proposal was rejected by Council and Corsica appealed this decision to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).

Through the OMB's mediation process, five parties to the appeal (Town of Richmond Hill, Corsica Developments Inc., Toronto and Region Conservation, the Region of York and the DDO Defenders) reached an agreement for the future of the property.

The agreement proposed that 56 per cent of the property (the western portion) would become a public park while the development of 530 homes would be allowed on the eastern portion of the property. The agreement is illustrated in the Settlement Plan. 

The Settlement Plan preserves all of Richmond Hill's cultural heritage interests, provides for a large public park, and protects most of the natural features on the site. On May 1, 2013 the OMB released their decision in support of the Settlement Plan calling it "good planning" and "in the public interest".

The OMB approved the subdivision on December 11, 2014 and the OMB's decision was not appealed by any party.

Heritage Conservation

On September 29, 2009, Richmond Hill Council designated the DDO Property as a "property of cultural heritage value or interest" under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act R.S.O. 1990, Chapter 018, as amended.

David Dunlap Observatory Lands Designation By-law 100-09

On January 24, 2011, Richmond Hill Council approved a Conservation Management Plan for the DDO property. The Conservation Management Plan provides Council with a means to assess any applications to alter heritage features within the DDO property that are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. The Conservation Management Plan also sets out short, medium and long term maintenance and conservation treatments for the identified heritage attributes.