$6.1M investment supports new pathway, footbridge at David Dunlap Observatory park in Richmond Hill

Government of Canada, City of Richmond Hill contribute toward active transportation infrastructure

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 26, 2023
Melissa Wallace

The Government of Canada and the City of Richmond Hill recently announced a combined investment of $6.1 million to support the construction of a new pathway and footbridge at the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory Park (RHDDO).

“The history of this site reminds us how people have always been inspired to reach for the stars,” said Majid Jowhari, MP for Richmond Hill, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, minister of housing, infrastructure and communities. “Creating a brighter and more connected tomorrow starts with a vision: reducing carbon emissions, improving our health, minimizing traffic congestion and connecting our communities.

“These are all things that come from a robust network of active transportation infrastructure.”

The Government of Canada is investing $3,180,000 toward the project through the Active Transportation Fund, while the City of Richmond Hill is providing $2,920,000.

The new bridge will span 50 metres, connecting pedestrians and cyclists to the RHDDO park year-round over the CN railway. It will provide a connection to Yonge Street, Bayview Avenue and 16th Avenue, supporting the city’s economy through enhanced access via the bridge and between Yonge Street businesses and major tourism and community destinations. The project will also include a new, 680 metre, multi-use asphalt path that will connect Hillsview Drive to 16th Avenue, a key east-west connection through the park, linking to various planned park facilities. The project will include new way-finding signage, landscaping and lighting to support safe, enjoyable and accessible use of the trail, bridge and entry plaza.

City staff said once the project was approved, construction was anticipated to be complete at the end of 2025.

“When it's complete, the Richmond Hill Dunlop Observatory will be an iconic destination that preserves the environmental and historical integrity of this property, while also offering amenities that transform the site into a park for residents and tourists to enjoy,” said Mayor David West. "This is doubly exciting because at the moment, the park is an important place for the community to come together and it's only going to get better as time goes on.”

West said the city is currently in Phase 1 of the RHDDO park master plan and has completed several projects such as the interim trail system and restoration of administration buildings. He expressed gratitude to the Government of Canada for the grant and to staff for a successful funding application.

“It’s very important that communities like Richmond Hill have great partnerships with the federal and provincial government, and this is exactly the kind of grant opportunity and partnership that we need as a municipality to help us to do the things that we want to do to build our great community and to meet the expectations that our citizens have of living in a great community.”

Looking on, Councillor Karen Cilevitz, past chair of the DDO Defenders group, and Dr. Tuba Koktay, group member and astronomer, applauded the announcement. The group, at one point, included approximately 3,000 members and was instrumental in leading the fight to protect, preserve and conserve DDO lands since 2007, eventually securing 111 acres out of 189. In 2019, the DDO was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. Seeing the concept plans and commitment to the park filled them with an overwhelming feeling that the fight was worth it.

“It’s fulfilling,” said Dr. Koktay. “Sixty per cent of the lands were saved because of us and our members.”

“There's a lot of work we still have to do,” said Cilevitz, who serves on the DDO Park Steering Committee. “It’s going to be the most incredible destination.”