Access Richmond Hill
The Access Richmond Hill Contact Centre provides assistance for general inquiries, responds to questions or concerns regarding programs and services as well as accepts in person payments.
Contact Us
905-771-8800
225 East Beaver Creek Road, Ground Floor, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P4
Hours of Service:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Report Feedback
Report a problem with a service, e.g. missed garbage collection, overnight parking, potholes, street lights, etc.
The David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) opened in 1935 and is located at 123A Hillsview Drive. Since then, the Observatory has been a research centre for the University of Toronto's Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and a facility for public education and outreach.
Learn more about:
Current Status
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.
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.