Richmond Hill’s natural spaces are some of the community’s most valuable assets. Conservation areas provide residents with places to walk, observe wildlife, enjoy nature, and escape the intensity of urban life.

We are calling on the City of Richmond Hill to establish stronger protections and transparent processes to ensure that conservation areas remain dedicated primarily to conservation, ecological protection, passive recreation, and public enjoyment — not large-scale commercial entertainment events that may disrupt wildlife, habitat, and residents’ ability to enjoy these spaces.

The recent Jurassic Kingdom ticketed attraction at David Dunlap Observatory Park has raised important questions about how Richmond Hill manages events within conservation areas. The event required extensive fencing, restricted public access to significant portions of the park, introduced large daily visitor volumes, continuous electronic sound effects throughout the day, and temporarily transformed a natural space into a private ticketed venue operated by a third party.

In addition to restricting public access, the event has generated continuous roaring sounds that are clearly audible beyond the event footprint for much of the day. Many nearby residents have raised concerns about the constant noise, while the presence of amplified sound effects within a conservation area also raises legitimate questions about their impact on wildlife. Species such as deer rely on quiet natural habitats, and introducing prolonged artificial noise into their environment is inconsistent with the purpose of a conservation area.

The temporary fencing surrounding the event also changes how both people and wildlife move through the park. Deer and other animals rely on established travel corridors as they forage and move between different parts of their habitat. Fencing off large sections of the park disrupts these habitual movement patterns while also preventing residents from accessing one of Richmond Hill's few remaining natural spaces.

The City of Richmond Hill’s own mandate for David Dunlap Observatory Park recognizes the importance of protecting and enhancing natural areas. The park is intended to preserve its environmental and cultural significance while providing residents with opportunities to experience and appreciate nature.

As stated in the City’s David Dunlap Observatory Park Master Plan:

"Preserving and enhancing natural areas is one of eight key principles in the RHDDO Park Master Plan"

The City has also committed to restoring the park’s natural areas into a healthy ecosystem through initiatives such as meadow creation, tree planting, habitat improvements, and ongoing monitoring.

The concern is not limited to one event or one location. The broader issue is whether conservation areas should be used for commercial attractions that require temporary closures, increased traffic, construction activity, continuous artificial noise, and potential disturbance to wildlife and residents who rely on these spaces.

Richmond Hill’s conservation areas serve an important ecological and community purpose. They provide habitat for wildlife and allow residents to experience nature within an increasingly urbanized city. These spaces should not be treated as interchangeable with regular event parks or commercial venues.

We recognize that the City has a responsibility to provide recreational opportunities and support community activities. However, Richmond Hill has many appropriate locations for large-scale entertainment events, including community parks and designated event spaces, that do not have the same ecological sensitivity or conservation purpose.

We ask the City of Richmond Hill to:

1. Establish clear and transparent guidelines limiting when and under what circumstances commercial ticketed entertainment events may be held within conservation areas.
2. Require ecological and public-interest considerations, with opportunities for community input, as part of the review process for commercial event applications in natural areas.
3. Protect public access to conservation areas and avoid situations where residents lose access to public natural spaces for extended periods due to private commercial events.
4. Prioritize appropriate alternative venues for large-scale entertainment attractions.

Our conservation areas belong to the wildlife that depend on them and the community that values them. They should remain places where residents and future generations can connect with nature, observe wildlife, and enjoy the outdoors.

Please support this petition to help ensure Richmond Hill’s natural spaces remain true to their purpose.