About WildPlay Parks

WildPlay seeks to engage people in active adventure experiences, where they are challenged to evolve beyond their self-perceived limits. Get back to nature with our “Primal Fun and Games”.

WildPlay History

Certified climbing guides, Gordon Ross and Tom Benson established WildPlay Element Parks in 2005 after spending more than 15 years leading climbing adventures and connecting people to the great outdoors. As certified climbing instructors and paragliders, both had been thinking of ways to use the power of the group experience to introduce more people to outdoor adventure activities. Additionally, the steep learning curve and high level of commitment for adventures such as climbing was a deterrent for some people and intimidating for others.

Gord had discovered tree-to-tree parks during his travels to Europe and South America and was researching them with Tom as a way to deliver the outdoor experience to a greater range of people. Both recognized this would be an excellent way to realize their desire of bringing outdoor experiences to more people without the steep learning curve. In September 2005, WildPlay was founded.

WildPlay Element Parks purchased the former Bungy Zone in March 2006 with a vision for expansion and the development of a full-service outdoor adventure destination on Vancouver Island. WildPlay Nanaimo offers the original two activities that came with the acquisition (bungee jumping and the King Swing), along with Monkido Aerial Adventure tree courses, added in July 2006 and the Canyon Zip, which opened in August 2007.

In April 2009, WildPlay acquired the operating assets of Cougar Mountain Adventures, 15 minutes north of Whistler Village. WildPlay Whistler opened July 2009 with two activities – Monkido Aerial Adventure Courses and Zoom Zip Lines, a dual zip line overlooking the scenic coastal mountain range.

WildPlay entered a partnership with West Shore Recreation & Parks in Fall 2009, opening WildPlay West Shore Victoria in November. WildPlay’s newest park offers Monkido Adventure Courses, conveniently located adjacent to the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre.

Committed to the Environment

WildPlay respects the natural environment. Our activities are built using environmentally sensitive methods that mitigate harm the forest or other natural settings. On trees, platforms are held in place using a compression system to protect the living tree from damage. Half-logs and sheathed-mooring cables prevent cables from cutting into trees, minimizing tree trunk degradation. Cable tension is checked and adjusted regularly to ensure the highest safety standards as well as accommodate tree growth. If our tree courses were to be disassembled today, very little evidence of their existence would be left behind.