Landmark bridge provides easy connection to trails and programs at National Historic Site

Richmond Hill – Richmond Hill has unveiled a new entryway into the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) Park, the City’s largest destination park.

Located at 63 Observatory Lane, this monumental infrastructure project has been partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Active Transportation Fund.

The new DDO Park Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridge is designed as a key active transportation link and a distinctive landmark that reflects the site’s history. It provides a safe, fully accessible connection for pedestrians and cyclists to the RHDDO park year-round over the CN railway.

Features include:

• An outward-leaning steel arch alongside the 38 m bridge span
• Themes of astronomy such as planets and meteor belts with star-inspired design details, custom railing elements and landscape features
• Benches and covered picnic tables as well as native plants at the west end of the bridge
• Giant apples and other heritage-inspired elements that reference the property’s farmstead and orchard history at the east end of the bridge
• Wayfinding signage and lighting

The bridge also extends to a new multi-use asphalt path, creating a key east-west route through the park and providing access to various planned park facilities in the future.

This new bridge and trail are vital to the community, providing pedestrian and cyclist routes that connect to Yonge Street, the Carville Road/16th Avenue Key Development Area, the city’s greenway system and various public transportation routes.

Visit RichmondHill.ca/RHDDO to learn more about programs, restoration work and the implementation of the DDO Park Master Plan as the City continues to bring future plans at the DDO Park to life.

QUICK FACTS

• The City of Richmond Hill received $3.18 million from the Government of Canada through the Active Transportation Fund to support the construction of the DDO Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridge.
• In 2019, the RHDDO was designated a Canadian historic site by the Government of Canada.
• The Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory property is a 76.5-hectare site located in central Richmond Hill between Bayview Avenue to the east, the CN rail line to the west, 16th Avenue to the south and Hillsview Drive to the north.
• This site is an important part of Canadian history and Richmond Hill’s rich heritage. A number of significant studies have taken place at the Observatory, including the first direct evidence that Cygnus X-1 was a black hole. 

QUOTES

“I am thrilled about this new landmark bridge at the DDO Park that will make it easier and safer for more Richmond Hill residents to access the incredible green spaces of the Observatory park, trails and transit options. I am very grateful to the federal government for helping bring this important project to fruition.”

– Mayor David West 

“Safe and accessible active transportation infrastructure makes travelling within and between communities simpler for pedestrians and cyclists. This pedestrian and cyclist bridge now provides a route over the CN rail corridor to the David Dunlap Observatory Park and helps to build Richmond Hill strong.”

– Michael Ma, Member of Parliament for Markham—Unionville