One of the most popular areas to live on the North Shore is also one of the oldest. Somewhere between 1860 and 1870, British Royal Engineer John Lynn settled on a piece of land at the mouth of a North Shore creek that would come to bear his name. Over the next few decades, the population of the North Shore grew and in 1912 a streetcar line was completed to Lynn Valley where Lynn Canyon officially opened as a municipal park. From it's early years as a rough and tumble mill town to the modern recreational and residential enclave we know now, the partnership between the natural beauty of the area and the people who have called it home is a source of immense pride for those who live there today. With its pioneer past celebrated in local public spaces, Lynn Valley's present and future are where the action is - and action hardly begins to cover the range of activities and facilities available.
One of the North Shore's oldest municipal recreation areas, Lynn Canyon Park with its suspension bridge, temperate forests and network of trails is a favourite destination for visitors and residents alike. Opened over 100 years ago, the park is now also home to the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre.
Designed in the shape of BC's provincial flower - the Dogwood - the Ecology Centre features displays and demonstrations of North Shore plants, animals and our complex local ecosystem.
Further upstream at the end of Lynn Valley Road, the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park is the largest park in the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks network. From a quiet day's fishing at Rice Lake to a full-on back country expedition for experienced hikers, Lynn Headwaters has something to offer just about every outdoor enthusiast on its 54 kilometers of trails.
The BC Mills House Museum at the park's entrance is open weekends from Victoria Day until Labour Day and houses fascinating exhibits that explore Lynn Valley's logging, mining and natural history.
One of the best ways to explore Lynn Valley's wild surroundings is to wander some of the many trails that wind in and around the area. The Varley Trail is named after Group of Seven artist Fred Varley who lived across from the Pipeline Bridge in the 1930s. From any of Lynn Headwaters' three parking lots, this well-maintained 1.5 k boardwalk trail meanders through second-growth rainforest along the west bank of Lynn Creek and is dog-friendly.
Further west, the Baden Powell Trail can be accessed at the top of Hoskins Road. Built by Boy Scouts and Girl Guides as a BC Centennial project in 1971, the full trail extends about 48 kilometers between the Quarry Rock Lookout in Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Dog and bike-friendly, it's a quick way to leave the city behind and get your nature on.
Also in Lynn Valley, the Laura Lynn Equestrian Centre has been providing quality boarding for horses for over 50 years. Resident manager Wendy Cathcart has been on site since 1987 and maintains strong relationships with suppliers and veterinarians to ensure the finest horse care.
For more contemporary transport aficionados, the skateboard park at Kirskstone Park near the Karen Magnussen Recreation Centre offers local boarders a chance to work on their chops in a friendly environment.
Inside the Rec Centre, the North Shore's only wave pool is a big draw with families from across the North Shore. There's also a whirlpool and steam room, ice rink, lacrosse box, tennis courts, weight room and meeting facilities.
Lynn Valley is also a great place to dine, socialize and share good times. From a leisurely breakfast at Tommy's or lunch on the patio at Browns' to a get together with friends at the Black Bear Pub or Lynn Valley Legion, you'll meet some of the nicest folks on the North Shore.
In the summer, the weekly concert series on Friday nights in the main square at Lynn Valley Village always attracts great local performers and gives you an excuse to start the weekend out in the fresh air.
With its history and natural beauty, there's a real sense of community shared by those who live here. The annual Lynn Valley Day celebration held each May has been a fixture on the local calendar for over 100 years and looks poised to go for at least another century.
If you're looking for a place to take in all the North Shore has to offer, Lynn Valley is a great place to begin. ?
