Protect the David Dunlap Observatory Lands

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The David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) Lands have been a valuable part of Richmond Hill since 1935. The Observatory has laid the ground for significant advancements in astronomical research, and it has also served as a teaching and educational centre for our community.

Recently, the Heritage Canada Foundation released its top ten endangered places in Canada and the David Dunlap Observatory and Park was on the list. Its legacy is being threatened with development and we need to take action to protect and preserve this historic site.

Since 2007, when the lands were officially up for sale by the University of Toronto, I have advocated hard to ensure that as much of the natural habitat of this site is preserved and protected. Over the past few years, I have spoken to representatives from the University of Toronto, Metrus Development, relevant stakeholders and researched the available options to protect these lands.

At this time, I believe the designation of the lands as a National Historic Site is the best option we have and on January, 20th, 2009, I wrote a letter to the Vice-President of Metrus Development urging him to consider this proposal. We must obtain permission from the site owner, before the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada can even evaluate the property. To date, I am not aware of any decision made by Metrus Development.

Given that this year is the International Year of Astronomy and the importance of this site to Canada and to our future generations I urge you to show your support for the designation of the lands as a National Historic Site by signing on to this petition.

What does national historic significance mean?

A national historic site is a designation by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, which is a statutory advisory body to the Minister of the Environment and through the Minister, to the Government of Canada that a place, people or event possesses national historic significance.

Considerations for designation of national historic significance are made on a case-by-case basis.

For more information on national historic site please visit the following website:

http://www.pc.gc.ca/clmhc-hsmbc/index_E.asp

To show your support, please provide the following information:

Full Name
Email Address


***For further questions on this, please contact my Ottawa Office at 613-992-3802

710 Signatures

  • Hon. Bryon Wilfert, P.C., M.P.
    • Mailing Address
    • 313 Justice Building, House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
    • Phone Number
    • 613-992-3802
  • Victoria Chan
  • Justin Lau
  • Fiona Chan
    • Mailing Address
    • 104 Santamonica Blvd, Scarborough, ON M1L 4H5
  • Marcus Kolga
  • Alisa Ecker
    • Mailing Address
    • В
    • Phone Number
    • В
    • Comments
    • В
  • Craig Vandermeer
  • Kristin Perodeau
  • Elizabeth Wilfert
  • Jackie Lee
  • Adriana Galloro
  • Rue Quizon
  • Trang Phan
  • Enid Mills
    • Mailing Address
    • 447 Palmer Avenue,. Richmond Hill
    • Comments
    • Protect this historic site - you won't get a second chance
  • john mills
  • Timothy Downing
  • Michael Jolliffe
  • Geoff Haskell
  • Andrea
  • Clyde Noronha
  • Fiona Chan
  • sandra mackenzie
  • Jessie Barbour
    • Mailing Address
    • 112 Cascade Circle, Richmond Hill
    • Phone Number
    • 905 737 7102
  • Mikki Fox
    • Mailing Address
    • 230 Kimono Cres., Richmond Hill
    • Phone Number
    • 905-787-0475
  • P Plesman
    • Comments
    • It is time we stop paving over every piece of green in Richmond Hill.
  • Ruth Clarke
  • Margaret Hall
  • Laleh A
  • Jason Cherniak
    • Mailing Address
    • 56 Birch Ave., Richmond Hill
    • Phone Number
    • 905-597-9482
  • Lois Banks
    • Mailing Address
    • 48 Lillooet Cres.
    • Phone Number
    • 905-770-3787
    • Comments
    • the observatory and the parkland around it have important heritage value
  • Graham Burkitt
    • Comments
    • All the adjacent land should be a park.
  • Linda Burkitt
  • Hamid Gharajeh
    • Mailing Address
    • 72 Westwood Lane
    • Phone Number
    • 905-771-0675
  • Brian R Inglis
  • William den Hollander II
  • Gerald Gauthier
    • Mailing Address
    • 135 Garden Avenue
    • Phone Number
    • 905-762-1457
  • Marli Joy
    • Mailing Address
    • Richmond Hill
  • Lisa Kwok
  • Shirley Crosner
  • J David Beattie
  • Michelle C
    • Mailing Address
    • В
    • Phone Number
    • В
    • Comments
    • i've been proud to have an observatory in Richmond Hill
  • Ashkan Alavi
    • Mailing Address
    • 36 Coburg Crescent
  • Edna P. Manlangit
    • Mailing Address
    • 49 Belvedere Crescent, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 8W1
    • Comments
    • Please save Dunlop Observatory for the future generation.
  • Susan Edwards
  • Olga Mendes
    • Mailing Address
    • 49 Belvedere Crescent, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 8W1
    • Phone Number
    • 905-737-2261
    • Comments
    • Dunlop observatory is a valuable landmark for Richmond Hill and the community.
  • Michael Denissov
  • Alex Mereby
    • Comments
    • The Town of Richmond Hill has reached a reasonable development level todate, and now is the time to preserve its landmark and develop on parks & expand on its current recreational centres as the growing new generation has limited outdoor and indoor facilities
  • Joseph Shaykewich
    • Mailing Address
    • 9 Pearl Gate Court, Richmond Hill L4B 2R1
    • Phone Number
    • В
    • Comments
    • В
  • Sergio Dalla Rosa
  • Steven Paul Chapman
    • Mailing Address
    • 406 Fernleigh Circle North Richmond Hill
    • Phone Number
    • 905-508-1083