DDO Ongoing Projects

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

RHDDO Facility Restoration and Revitalization Project

The Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory facility restoration and revitalization project was completed in spring 2021. The exteriors of both the Administration building and the Observatory dome were restored to preserve their heritage features.

The work was completed through the following phases:

Phase 1 – restoration of the Administration building exterior, including windows and doors, masonry and stone, copper features, metal domes and repainting of exterior metal surfaces
Phase 2 – restoration of the Observatory building exterior, including metal surfaces, windows, doors, catwalks and repainting of exterior metal surfaces
Phase 3 – site and servicing work to the Administration building, including improved drainage, foundation waterproofing, and improvements to both water and electrical services to the building

DDO Construction with scaffolding on the admin building

DDO Construction - almost completed Admin Building

DDO Park Trail Construction

Construction is currently underway for the new 2.25 km trail system at Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory Park located centrally within Richmond Hill bounded by Bayview Avenue to the east, the CN rail line to the west, 16th Avenue to the south and Hillsview Drive. Construction is scheduled to be completed by late fall 2021, weather-permitting.

As a measure of safety, sections of the park will be closed during construction and visitors are asked to refrain from entering these sections. Thank you in advance for your patience during the construction phase of this project.

The trail system will provide connectivity to surrounding neighbourhoods and greater use of the park for residents in the early stage of the implementation of the Master Plan. The trail surfacing is crushed granular and will be AODA accessible for all residents to enjoy.

RHDDO Trail Alignment

Email Mike Mccallum, Project Manager Infrastructure Delivery Services for more information or call him at 905-771-2469.

DDO Long-term Woodlot Restoration

Woodlot restoration and removal of dead/hazardous trees will be taking place in the David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) Park over the next few years.

Why is this work being undertaken?

Preserving and enhancing natural areas is one of eight key principles in the DDO Park Master Plan. There are currently many trees on the property which are in poor and/or hazardous condition due to infestations and storm damage. As a result, the forest is in poor health and vulnerable to undesirable plants which grow aggressively and have the ability to destroy the park's unique environment.

Richmond Hill is developing and implementing a long-term plan to restore the woodlands to a healthy forest. Work will include:

Hazardous tree and debris removal
Herbicide treatment
Hydrological Improvements to the landscape
Tree planting
Monitoring

While this work will change the appearance of the forest, it is a temporary and necessary step to create space for new native trees that will enhance the DDO Park.

Phase 1 Restoration (2017-2020)

Phase 1 of the woodlot restoration work is now complete. This work took place between 2017-2020 and involved hazard tree removals, treatment and removal of invasive trees and plants, as well as tree planting. City staff, together with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) will continue to monitor the plantings and conduct required maintenance within the Phase 1 area over the next two years. Part of this work will also involve repeated spot treating of invasive plants with herbicide to control their spread and decrease competition of new plantings. Herbicide treatments will take place in the spring over a 2 to 3 day period and will take place again in fall 2021.

View the DDO Park Phase 1 and 2 Woodlot Restoration Map

Phase 2 Restoration (2020-2023)

In November 2020, the TRCA, working on behalf of the City, will begin Phase 2 of the woodlot restoration (see map – Woodlot Restoration) including hazardous tree and debris removal, herbicide treatment, hydrological enhancements and native tree and shrub planting. This work will take three years to complete followed by two years of monitoring and maintenance.

View the DDO Park Phase 1 and 2 Woodlot Restoration Map

2020/2021 Site Preparation for Plantings and Maintenance

As part of the preparatory work for the upcoming tree planting a small section of the Phase 2 area will undergo hydrological improvements. This will involve the use of grading machinery to modify approximately 0.6 ha of land to restore it to its natural conditions. Grading improvements will take approximately 2 to 3 days to complete and will start November 16 2020, weather permitting. During this time local residents may see and hear machinery within the park. This is a temporary and necessary step to ensure the success of planned tree plantings.

Starting February 8 2021, the TRCA will be removing dead, hazardous and invasive trees and shrubs from the wooded areas within the Phase 2 project boundary. This work will help to make room for desirable native plant material that will help to improve the forest health and provide habitat for local wildlife. Part of this work will also involve repeated spot treating of invasive plants with herbicide to control their spread and decrease competition for upcoming plantings. Herbicide treatments will take place in winter 2021 over a 2 to 3 day period and will take place again in spring and fall 2021.

2021 Planting Activities

In the spring of 2021, a wide variety of native trees and shrubs (evergreens and deciduous) will be planted by the TRCA that will, over time, enhance the natural aesthetic of the park and provide habitat for local wildlife. Plantings will replace the trees and invasive plants that will be removed during the winter of 2021. It will also involve the creation of new forested areas in some of the open fields that eventually form part of the woodland cover within the park. As well, site preparation for plantings will include mowing the Phase 2 planting areas in order to reduce initial grass competition. Deer fencing will be added in some areas to protect newly planted deciduous trees and shrubs from deer herbivory.

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DDO Ongoing Projects

Why is this work being undertaken?

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