Restoration of Richmond Hill's David Dunlap Observatory nearing completion

Property envisioned to become one of the preeminent public parks in the Greater Toronto Area

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 25, 2021

A well-known attraction for stargazers and night sky watchers in Richmond Hill is getting a facelift to preserve its heritage features.

The ongoing revitalization project of the David Dunlap Observatory (DDO), located at 123A Hillsview Dr., is expected to be completed this spring within budget, according to the city.

On-site construction, which began in May 2020, will see the exteriors of the limestone-clad administration building and the white observatory dome restored, as part of the $5.7-million David Dunlap Observatory Short Term Rehabilitation Work project.

Covering an area of 76.5 hectares, the city-owned property is envisioned to become one of the preeminent public parks in the Greater Toronto Area, or Richmond Hill’s “High Park,” as Mayor Dave Barrow once said.

“It will be a treasured place that embodies discovery, education, sustainability and inclusion and, in so doing, forms part of the identity of Richmond Hill,” said Bob Levesque, director of infrastructure delivery services, planning and infrastructure department.

Visitors are expected to come not only to see Canada’s historic observatory, but celebrate the stars and enjoy acres of natural parkland, Levesque said.

The restoration work started less than a year after the David Dunlap Observatory was declared a national historic site in July 2019, the first one in Richmond Hill.

Residents, city staff, council members and the stargazing community celebrated the national recognition as they had fought for 10 years to preserve the cultural heritage of the observatory.

The main telescope at the DDO -- the second largest in the world when it was opened back in 1935 -- has been involved in a great number of significant studies in radio astronomy and revealed the first evidence that Cygnus X-1 was a black hole.

As a regional centre for education, the observatory provides an array of learning opportunities for the community, such as summer camps for youth, astronomy-themed speaker nights, lecture nights, and historical tours.

In recent years, the DDO also gained popularity in the film industry, becoming a shooting location for many hit television shows and commercials, including Netflix’s “The Umbrella Academy” and CBC TV’s hit comedy “Baroness Von Sketch.”

Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, both the observatory dome and administration building will continue to be closed to the public.

Visit www.richmondhill.ca for available virtual DDO programs.