I first moved to Richmond Hill in 1972. As a 12-year-old who grew up with the Gemini and Apollo space programs, I was interested in science and astronomy and owned a small telescope and a subscription to Sky and Telescope. In the pages of that magazine, the names such as Palomar, Mount Wilson, Yerkes and David Dunlap Observatory occurred frequently and resonated deeply. These were wonderful, inspiring, exotic places of science that generated deep intellectual attachments in thousands of young men and women. I was thrilled to move to Richmond Hill, primarily because it was the home of David Dunlap Observatory
After attending one of the public lectures and seeing the 74-inch telescope for the first time on my 13th birthday, my friends and I made many trips to the DDO. A few years later we moved to Weldrick Road and the observatory became a favorite place where I could walk, write and take photographs.
I realize my story is not unique. It has been repeated by thousands of Richmond Hill residents for more than 70 years. I suspect that all of these stories share at least this in common: everyone who walks up Donalda Drive, between the towering pines and rounds the corner to see the Great Dome, the Administration Building and Elms Lea is struck by the majesty of these buildings and the solitude that surrounds them.
But there is more to Dunlap than buildings.
Twelve years ago, my wife and I moved into our own home about 2km from the DDO. Once again, the Observatory became a special destination – a place where we took our children and our dog to explore the forests and meadows. Over the years, we became avid birdwatchers and — along with others — have made a special point of documenting bird sightings on the Dunlap lands. Since the fall of 2007, we have noted 72 species of birds on the property. These include many migratory species such as Eastern Towhee, Black-throated Green and Blue, Blackburnian Warblers (and many others). Each year, these birds visit the DDO forests to rest and feed during spring and fall migrations.
The Dunlap habitat is also extensively used by northern birds that come south from the northern boreal forests. These include Pine Grosbeaks, Purple Finches and White-winged Crossbills, all of which have been seen on the Dunlap property. While the forests are important, the meadows and regenerating farm fields are crucial for the vole population that provides food for hawks and owls. The Dunlap fields also provide spring and summer habitat for grassland birds such as Field Sparrows, Kingbirds and Eastern Bluebirds.
At this very moment, Red-tails and Coopers hawks are soaring over the property, hunting mice and voles. Deer are browsing in the dense brush. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, juncos and chickadees are feeding in the woods. White-winged crossbills are soaring above the conifers and feeding on the cones. This natural heritage is interwoven with the cultural heritage – and is enjoyed and confirmed through the daily activities of visitors who walk, cycle, cross-country ski, watch birds and wildlife and take photographs. But where did these forests come from?
Trees and Nature
When we first moved to Richmond Hill, the signs posted around the Dunlap property read “David Dunlap Observatory and Arboretum”. As you know, the Dunlap Arboretum was managed by the U of T Faculty of Forestry and the original gift of the property called for the creation of a park that could be used by the public. Since local volunteers such as the Richmond Hill Naturalists began researching the scope and depth of heritage attributes of the site, I have seen a number of historical documents, including the plan for the DDO Arboretum and learned how many of the trees on the Dunlap Property were planted by astronomers and students. The Dunlap trees include the “Mulock Oaks” which were planted in 1938 by Chant and Jessie Dunlap and other notable citizens such as Sir William Mulock, the Chancellor of the University of Toronto and Chief Justice of the Ontario Supreme Court.
What is perhaps less well-known is that for many years Mulock was also part of a world-wide movement that recognized the problems of deforestation and promoted the planting of trees. If you search the Toronto Star archives in the 1930’s, you will find other stories of ceremonial tree plantings and public calls for the creation of a local arboretum. At one such planting in July 1939, Sir William urged Canadians to “bring pressure on their local members to convince all governing bodies it is in the highest interests of Canada to restore our destroyed forests”. And he urged individual action by planting trees wherever possible.
It seems to me that in addition to the astronomical benefits, the trees planted at Dunlap are the direct result of the noble and farsighted actions of these citizens.
From a heritage perspective, I do not know what the difference is between a plan that results in a building or a plan that results in a series of forests and meadows. I do not know how to count the heritage attributes of the green spaces at Dunlap, though if we could understand them, I suspect the birds and animals that depend on them would have much to say on the matter. Perhaps one way to view the eastern portion of the property is to consider it as “built habitat” – a series of forests, meadows and a wetland that grew out of the vision Jessie Dunlap, C.A. Chant and Sir William Mulock.
Heritage is Context
Over the course of these hearings, it has been said there are thousands of farmscapes in Ontario and not all of them warrant protection. But part of the point about Dunlap, is that it sits here in the midst of 181,000 people. The Dunlap Property is easily reached by thousands on foot. It could be accessible to thousands more by transit – perhaps even a GO Train stop. The trails could provide a safe and sustainable way to link residents with other sections of the Town.
On the other hand, if you drive west along Major Mackenzie Drive, you’ll see that almost every farm field from here to Kleinberg has been scraped and prepped for development. You will see the same thing if you travel east towards Markham. As you have heard, the scientific and cultural history of the Dunlap site is rich and unique. But, given the rate of development in the northern GTA, the land itself has become a rarity.
The fact is, the Dunlap property is larger in area than U of T’s St. George Campus. It is about the same size as Montreal’s Mount Royal. And, as you can see from the aerial photograph, it is the last remaining significant greenspace in the heart of Richmond Hill.
Dunlap’s Heritage is more than a sum of attributes. In addition to the forests, meadows and buildings, Dunlap’s heritage can be found in thousands of newspaper articles, scholarly papers, photographs, stories and memories. The entire Dunlap Property, including the Great Telescope, the Administration Building, Elms Lea and all of the forests and meadows is a noble reminder – a much-needed reminder – that we are better than we think we are.
It deserves protection.