Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

4/25/2017

In 1889, Vancouver Parks Commissioner, George Grant Mackay, bought 27 acres of a 1000 year old rain forest just north of the city and built the first suspension bridge (made of rope and cedar planks) across the Capilano River canyon. While it has changed hands several times over the years, the park has always remained privately owned. Nancy Stibbard, the current owner, bought the property in 1983 and has made numerous renovations and upgrades. The current 460 foot long, simple suspension bridge (sitting 230 feet above the canyon floor - or roughly the shoulder height of the Statue of Liberty) is made of strong steel cables and hard wood planks. Engineers have documented that the bridge is capable of supporting 200,000 pounds (that's approximately 1300 people, or 96 elephants, at the same time - at one point I felt that all 96 elephants were parading across the bridge at the same time I was. It was swaying that much - or at least I felt it was). This "death defying" bridge walk is not the only attraction here. There is an equally thrilling ("gulp!!") cliff walk along the granite face of the canyon; seven tree-top canopy bridge trails; and numerous rain forest nature paths. First Nation artists, who call this place Kia'Palano, have been creating and displaying "story poles" throughout the park for 90 years. This is the largest, privately owned, collection of native story poles (often mistakenly called totem poles) in North America. When visiting Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension Bridge park definitely should be on your itinerary. One tip if you plan to visit the suspension bridge; buy your admission ticket at the Visitor Center in downtown's Canada Place. It is cheaper than buying it at the park entrance, and it provides access to a free shuttle from downtown to the park and back. If you don't have the admission ticket from the Visitor Center, you will not be able to utilize the free shuttle service.

Entrance to this beautiful twenty-seven acre rain forest park is a short 15 minute shuttle bus ride (depending upon traffic) from downtown's Canada Place. Some 800, 000 visitors come here each year.

Geronimo (that's really his name) provided us with a fantastic twenty minute orientation to the park. This optional orientation to the background of the park is well worth the time.

Vancouver Parks Commissioner, George Grant Mackay, started it all in 1889 when he bought 27 acres of rain forest by the Capilano River canyon.

For the past thirty four years (since 1983) current owner, Nancy Stibbard has made steady renovations and upgrades to the park.

The park boasts that they have the largest privately owned collection of First Nation Story Poles in North America.

Of course, the main attraction is this 410 foot long simple suspension bridge...

...that hangs 230 feet above the Capilano River canyon. The views are absolutely stunning!

This view of the suspension bridge from the Cliff Walk, adds some perspective to the amazing scenery.

My dare-devil wife was not bothered at all by the height of the bridge nor its swaying (after all , she did the Edge walk on the CN tower in Toronto).