Seeking National Recognition
David Dunlap Observatory

NRU
Jan. 3, 2018
Jacob Dickie

With a new master plan in place and development underway to create a destination park, Richmond Hill is seeking national recognition to help make the David Dunlap Observatory Park a premier attraction. 

In December Richmond Hill council directed staff to complete the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada application process to nominate the David Dunlap Observatory Cultural Heritage Landscape as a site of national historical significance. 

The property is currently protected under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Its cultural heritage landscape encompasses a wide range of cultural resources: an observatory building, which features Canada’s largest telescope, a 19th century brick farmhouse that was once the home of Clarence Chant, the father of Canadian astronomy, and a classical Beaux Arts administration building that has been the site of ground-breaking astronomical discoveries such as first confirmation of the existence of a black hole. The site also features a series of important landscape and horticultural elements. 

Richmond Hill heritage and urban design manager Joanne Leung told NRU that the national recognition would bring added exposure to the destination, which will include year-round programming as well as recreational opportunities. 

“The success of the project really relies on how much we can let people know about what we’re doing here. The park has such an amazing scientific history and it is a very important educational place. Even now York University and high schools from across the region are going there to experience the telescope. I would say that the more successful the park is, the more we can provide for people around to actually learn about the astronomical history of the world as well as the town.” 

Aside from positive exposure, national designation could bring economic benefits to the town. This includes access to grant programs from the federal government, including cost sharing of up to 50 per cent of the conservation or preservation work. 

“If we are nominated and selected it will certainly make the National Cost Sharing Program available to us if we need to do work to conserve or preserve the property’s heritage attributes,” said Leung. 

Staff has been directed by council to finalize the nomination application by the end of March, 2018.