Liberal MPP, Reza Moridi supports efforts to preserve Observatory and Park
On December, 10 2007, Reza Moridi delivered a speech on the DDO (mp3) and also read a petition signed by Richmond Hill residents. The Richmond Hill Naturalists join thousands of area residents in expressing our thanks to Mr. Moridi for his efforts to find a creative, sustainable solution. The text of the petition is provided below:
Mr. Reza Moridi: It’s my pleasure to deliver a petition from the residents of Richmond Hill, “Save the David Dunlap Observatory Lands,” a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
“Whereas the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill is of historical and heritage significance; and
“Whereas the land was donated in trust by the Dunlap family to the University of Toronto in 1935, and the pre-Confederation farmhouse is still standing;
“Whereas the observatory, featuring the largest optical telescope in Canada, has been the site of scientific discoveries; it has been a place of learning not only for students of the University of Toronto, but for the general public as well;
“Whereas the observatory has been recently declared by the University of Toronto as ‘surplus’ to its academic needs, and subject to sale for development;
“Whereas the observatory sits in an incredibly unique and beautiful 180 acres of green space, the largest such space in the town of Richmond Hill, with trees, birds, animals, plants, insects and butterflies in the middle of a rapidly urbanized area;
“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to support the protection of this property of such historical, scientific and natural significance.”