It was a big day for Richmond Hill residents, city staff, council members and the stargazing community as the David Dunlap Observatory that they fought hard for 10 years to preserve received national recognition.

The city-own public amenity was declared a national historic site on July 31 to recognize its historic value and unique contribution to science.

The 76.5-hectare observatory property, bordered by Hillsview Dr., Bayview Ave., 16th Ave. and the CN Railway line, was designated as one of eight new national historic sites across Canada, announced by Environment Minister Catherine McKenna.

“We are thrilled that the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory was recognized as a historical designation,” said Mayor Dave Barrow, noting the city’s decade-long endeavour to preserve the cultural heritage of the observatory.

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The unique white landmark, completed in 1935, is home to the largest optical telescope on Canadian soil with a primary mirror measuring more than 1.88 metres.

It was built on a farmstead donated to U of T in the name of David Dunlap who became wealthy in mining ventures and developed an interest in astronomy.

The reflector telescope — 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 become the first evidence that Cygnus X-1 was a black hole.

It is the first national heritage site declared in Richmond Hill.

“I was happily surprised. I think it was something that is a long time coming, and deservedly so for the observatory,” said Ken Baine, a board member and one of the founders of the DDO Defenders.

The non-profit volunteer organization was formed in late 2007 with the primary mission of preserving the observatory when U of T was in the process of selling the semiwild site to a private developer that was intending to replace most of the green space with residential buildings.

After an uphill battle to preserve the observatory property including a mediated settlement at the OMB, Richmond Hill saved more than half the original site in 2016, including the park, the observatory and the administration building.

Last summer, the observatory opened its gates as a town-owned public amenity, where residents are welcome to either explore inside, walk on the primitive pathways leading to it, or marvel at the iconic building from outside.

“It’s a remarkable achievement,” said Councillor Karen Cilevitz. “I’m so proud of the work that I did, proud of the work the DDO Defenders did, and honestly it was just a privilege to be in the position through all those years.”

Cilevitz has been a key activist for years in the battle for the observatory. She led the DDO Defenders from 2007 to 2013 before the current chair Ian Shelton took over the position after Cilevitz was elected to council.

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Prior to the transfer, council members voted to designate the heritage site as a “property of cultural heritage value of interest” in 2009, and approved a Conservation Management Plan for the observatory property two years later.

In 2017, council approved a motion, proposed by Ward 6 Councillor Godwin Chan, to prepare an application for designation of the town-owned property as a national historic site for consideration to Parks Canada.

“It is a tremendous honour to have a national historic site in our city with proud heritage and dynamic future,” Chan wrote in an email to The Liberal.

He thanked last-term council, staff, and community groups and individuals for their hard work over the years.

The observatory has had great support from the community groups since its very beginning.

A variety of community group-supported programs activities are currently available at the observatory for stargazers, children, scientists, or anyone who just finds delight in the wonders of the galaxy.

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Toronto Centre (RASC-TC) has resumed their outreach programs at the heritage site following the transfer.

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.

Correction - August 14, 2019: This article was edited from a previous version that mistakenly said the reflector telescope is the second largest in the world. In fact, it was the second largest in the world when it was opened back in 1935.

Clarification - August 13, 2019: This article was edited from a previous version to clarify that about half the site was transferred to the city at no cost in 2016 and the city purchased the surrounding area.

SW Sheila Wang is a municipal politics and general assignment reporter for YorkRegion.com and its sister papers. Reach her via email: swang@metroland.com

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