RHDDO Ongoing Projects

Ongoing Projects

We're developing Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory (RHDDO) Park for you and your family to enjoy.

RHDDO Observatory Lane Pedestrian Bridge - Construction Underway

The construction is underway on the new pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the CN rail tracks to provide a safe pedestrian connection between David Dunlap Observatory Park and 63 Observatory Lane. The project includes the construction of the new bridge, parking lot with 14 spaces, entry plaza, trails, pedestrian lighting, site furnishings, and tree planting.

As a measure of safety, a portion of the David Dunlap Observatory Park trails will be closed and residents are asked to refrain from entering the construction area. The Observatory and Administration building and remaining portions of the park will remain open. Thank you in advance for your patience during the construction phase of this project.

Construction Notice

Trail Closure Map

Residents were invited to comment on the proposed design from February 21 to March 17, 2023.

Rendering showing design of RHDDO bridge Rendering showing aerial view of RHDDO bridge design

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

RHDDO Trails

As part of the implementation of the RHDDO Park Master Plan and expansion of the interim RHDDO trails completed in 2021, a multi-use path and granite chip nature trail was constructed in 2023 the woodlands located in the north-west area of the park.

View the RHDDO Trail Map

The completed trails:

help protect and enhance the natural area by providing a designated path for visitors
allow visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and landscape features in areas of the park that were previously inaccessible
encourage stewardship
increase accessibility to the woodland for future restoration work

For more information, email Mike Mccallum, Project Manager Infrastructure Delivery or call him at 905-771-2469.

RHDDO Ecological Restoration - In progress

Ecological restoration and removal of dead/hazardous trees will be taking place in the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory (RHDDO) 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 RHDDO 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 implementing a long-term plan to restore the natural areas to a healthy ecosystem. Work includes:

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

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

Phase 1 - Woodlot Restoration (2017-2021)

Phase 1 of the woodlot restoration 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.

Phase 1 Ecological Restoration Map

2024 Activities:

Invasive plants dominating selected areas will be treated with herbicide this year in an effort to reduce populations and promote the growth of newly planted trees and shrubs.
Tree monitoring is ongoing.

Phase 2 - Woodlot Restoration (2020-2024)

Phase 2 of the woodlot restoration included 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.

Phase 2 Ecological Restoration Map

2024 Activities:

Invasive plants dominating selected areas will be treated with herbicide this year in an effort to reduce populations and promote the growth of newly planted trees and shrubs.
Tree monitoring is ongoing.

Phase 3 - Meadow Creation & Woodlot Restoration (2023-2027)

In August 2023, the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) working on behalf of the City began Phase 3 of the ecological restoration project, which will consist of meadow creation and woodland restoration.

Meadow Creation Project

Meadows are an important ecosystem that provide food and shelter for pollinators, birds and other wildlife. The goal of this project is to create 1.2 hectares of new meadow habitat that supports the Monarch butterfly, as well as a variety of other pollinators, insects and other wildlife. To develop a robust and sustainable meadow habitat suitable to the Monarch, the work will be completed over five years.

Meadow Creation and Woodlot Restoration Activities

Meadow creation activities will include site preparation (i.e. mowing, tilling, and oat seeding), wildlife habitat feature installations, invasive plant management followed by seeding with native grasses and pollinator wildflower species. Ongoing management will include maintenance mowing and invasive plant management.

Woodland restoration activities will include hazard tree removals, invasive plant management, tree planting and installation of fencing and tree shelters to protect newly planted trees from damage by browsing deer and wildlife.

Phase 3 Ecological Restoration Map

2024 Activities:

Meadow site preparation (i.e. mowing, tilling, and oat seeding)
Meadow native plant seeding
Herbicide treatment for invasive plants
Installation of wildlife habitat features and deer protection fencing

This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Ce projet a été réalisé avec l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada agissant par l’entremise du ministère fédéral de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique.

To date, more than 10,000 trees and shrubs have been planted and fencing has been installed to protect newly planted trees from browsing deer and allow tree growth.

RHDDO Dome Interior Restoration Project (2024-2025)

The RHDDO Dome Interior Restoration project includes the replacement of deteriorated Agasote dome panels, repainting of existing dome panels and the steel platform/beams and repairing cracks in the terrazzo floor.

The Agasote panel repairs and repainting were completed in January 2025 with a total of 39 panels out of approximately 240 panels replaced and all panels repainted.

The terrazzo floor crack repairs will be completed in spring 2025.

DDO Construction with scaffolding on the admin building DDO panels repair