Richmond Hill is one of Canada's fastest growing communities. Situated in the York Region of the Greater Toronto Area, it has a large multicultural population which is expected to exceed 200,000 by the year 2015. When Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe first surveyed the area in 1794, the core of Richmond Hill, Yonge St., was envisioned as a military road, to serve as an inland connection between York and Fort Penetanguishene. The road was fully opened in 1796. Despite its initial conception as a military route, Yonge Street's opportunities for settlement were inevitable. William Berczy came from Genesee New York in 1794 and brought a group of settlers with him; the group was granted 64,000 acres of land in Markham Township. This land comprised what is now the southeast corner of Richmond Hill. French emigrants also had a big influence on the settlement of Richmond Hill - they constructed eighteen log houses, a tavern and a church, but many of them later returned to France after the French monarchy was restored because they could not cope with living on such an underdeveloped land. In 1801 Abner Miles who was a York region merchant and inkeeper settled in the area, established a store, an ashery and an inn. The village was known briefly as Miles Hill then Mount Pleasant and by 1830 the name Richmond Hill had been well established. Popular history cites the name Richmond Hill may have come from the Duke of Richmond visiting the area, however the family of Benjamin Barnard believed the name came about when their father taught his school classes to sing "The Lass of Richmond Hill", a song from his childhood upbringing in Richmond, Surrey. Richmond Hill's town motto is "En la rose, je fleuris" (French for "Like the rose, I flourish), reflecting perhaps the motto of the Duke of Richmond or the fact the town was a rose-growing centre in the early 1900's - at the time the town was known as the Rose Capital of Canada. A newer motto "A little north, a little nicer" makes reference to its geographical relation to the Greater Toronto Area and a quieter lifestyle. Richmond Hill's average family income is $102,400, among the highest in Canada, making it somewhat disproportionate between the upper-middle and middle classes. This has earned the town the nickname "Rich Man's Hill". Many wealthy Chinese from Hong Kong emigrated in the early to mid-1990s, when there was worry regarding the possible handing over of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China. Canadian visas were easier to obtain than those of the United States. People of Chinese ancestry now make up approximately one fifth of the Richmond Hill population. Richmond Hill. as its name suggests, has a high elevation above surrounding areas; formed by the growth and subsequent erosion of glaciers thousands of years ago, creating beautiful scenery and kettle lakes. There are many things to do in Richmond Hill; the shopping areas are extensive and the town has over 150 parks. Mill Pond park has wonderful wildlife including Canada's national animal the beaver, as well as swans and snakes. The park is host to many town events including the Richmond Hill Winter Carnival, flower shows and concerts. Until recently, the town was infamous for having as many strip clubs and adult only stores as churches. Many of these establishments have since been shut down and replaced by other structures, greatly improving the downtown area. With over 50,000 single people (over the age of 15 according to Stats Can) in Richmond Hill, singles are primed and well located to attend a speed dating events as well. 25dates.com hold a variety of speed dating events in the GTA for various age groups as well as sexual preferences (straight, gay and lesbian). At a 25dates.com event, Richmond Hill residents can meet up to 25 singles of the opposite sex in one night for three minutes each. The great thing is that everyone is there for the same reason - to create a connection with other single people there. It's a safe way (and more effective than faceless internet dating) to meet your mate. 25dates.com has been responsible for countless marriages and relationships, making it Canada's leading company when it comes to speed dating.