The David Dunlap Lands Must Be Preserved

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In 1935 the lands of Richmond Hill became home to the world’s second largest telescope. Jessie Donald Dunlap funded the David Dunlap observatory, DDO, in the memory of her husband Alexander Dunlap. These 189 acres of land were given as a gift to the University of Toronto. For years it has been a helping hand leading towards solar and lunar discoveries. July 2008, The University sold this to a company called Metrus. The DDO has been apart of the community for 76 years and without a doubt should be protected as a part their heritage and environment to be enjoyed by current and future generations. Not only is the observatory inscribed in Richmond Hill’s and Canada’s history, it is also an influential aspect in the environment and home to hundreds of species of animals and plant life. To take over the land and continue with development, surely the previously listed attributes will be lost.

With careful investigation of topographical aspects, Clarence Chant found the ideal land upon which the observatory would be build. Seeing it for the first time, Jessie Dunlap proclaimed “this is the place!” and 1930 the project began. This site is located on a rise in the land in the south of the city of Richmond Hill. From a young age, Chant fervently worked towards establishing this observatory and with the funding of David Alexander Dunlap, this was made possible. Up to today’s date the architectural styles of the era can still be seen and studied. The administrative building is exemplar in demonstrating beaux-arts classical architectural style. It has also been the source of many astronomical discoveries such as Supernova1987; an exploding star. The observatory was also given recognition, as it was there that the very first confirmation ...

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...oronto handed over the David Dunlap land along with the telescope on it for 70 million dollars. Metrus has broken two by laws and one provincial law and has continued with the fervent removal of trees and destruction of land. 76 years ago this land was given to the public and to the university of Toronto to give students a hands-on experience working with Canada’s largest telescope. Metrus has not done anything in the favor of the residents of Richmond Hill or the environment. In their construction plans and assessments they have destroyed hundreds of habitats and put animals in a state of extreme threat. The trees the city needs to balance against light and air pollution are disappearing, and the heritage and history is being lost in this mess. The David Dunlap lands must be preserved. If the environment, heritage and animal life does not come first, what does?

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