Lynn Canyon Park safety improvements

During 2020, we made significant safety improvements to the entrance areas of Lynn Canyon Park.

Attracting more than one million visitors annually, Lynn Canyon Park is one of our most popular destinations. High volume traffic was causing safety concerns, as the original roadways and areas built in the 1960's were not designed to accommodate the level and frequency of current use.

Work completed in 2020 includes several upgrades and replacements throughout the park:

  • Replaced the staircase to Twin Falls
  • Upgraded water drainage with storm interceptor installation, and a culvert replacement
  • Replaced decking on the suspension bridge
  • Completed upper parking lot work

Project details

About the project

To address significant safety issues for pedestrians and traffic, relieve congestion, and help traffic flow, a number of improvements have been made.

Safety improvements

  • Created a pedestrian-only area between the Ecology Centre and café
  • Added accessible parking stalls and repaved internal roads
  • Eliminated blind spots by improving sight lines for vehicles
  • Made accessible pathways into and throughout parking areas
  • Installed signage for traffic and way-finding
  • Added stormwater infiltration to improve water drainage

Better road access

  • Created safer drop off zones for buses and groups visiting the Ecology Centre
  • Improved entry area and circulation for vehicles and access for first responders
  • Formalized upper parking lot design to maximize space allotted for parking

Impacts

Project impacts

To enable construction of the safety and road access improvements, 52 trees were removed and replanted at a ratio of 4:1

Logs salvaged from the tree removal process are being used by our environment and parks staff to:

  • improve habitat for native fish living in local streams by increasing food sources and providing shelter
  • provide nutrient-rich foundations for new plants to grow from, while also providing shelter for small mammals and amphibians

View the arborist report

Tree planting

As part of our restoration plan, 210 trees were planted over eight different areas at Lynn Canyon as shown in the map below.

The tree species that were planted include:

Coastal Douglas-fir Pacific Yew Sitka Spruce
Western Redcedar Western White Pine Beaked Hazelnut
Black Cottonwood Bigleaf Maple Bitter Cherry
Oceanspray Pacific Crabapple Pacific Flowering Dogwood
Red Alder Sitka Mountain Ash Vine Maple

 

Map of tree planting areas

Background

Safety concerns

Visitor counts to the park can peak at upwards of 2,500 vehicles per day during the summer season.

Public safety for pedestrians and vehicles has become a key concern, as the original roadways and parking areas are not designed to accommodate this level and intensity of current use.

The District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services also receive many rescue calls to Lynn Canyon Park each year, making it crucial that the parking lot provide quick and easy access for emergency responders and large rescue vehicles.

Documents and related web content

How this project was prioritized

Our Lynn Canyon Park Management and Parks and Open Space Strategic Plans, both identify the need to improve safety, vehicle parking, circulation, and pedestrian access in the central area of Lynn Canyon Park off the main access point at Peters Road.

District of North Vancouver Parks and Open Space Strategic Plan

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your input.