Our roots run deep  |  WildPlay History

WildPlay Element Parks is the result of a lifetime of experiencing adventure in the great outdoors. Founders Gord Ross and Tom Benson are avid climbers and paraglider pilots. Both worked as certified climbing guides, each spending over 15 years leading climbing adventures and teaching people about the outdoors. Both had been thinking of ways to use the power of the group experience to introduce more people to outdoor adventure activities. Both knew the steep learning curve and high level of commitment for adventures such as climbing was often 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 the outdoor experience to more people without the steep learning curve. After two years of product testing, they decided to bring adventure recreation systems and supporting environmentally sensitive building methods to what is a growing list of operating park locations.

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^®, conveniently located adjacent to the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre.

In Spring 2010, WildPlay entered into a partnership with the District of Maple Ridge to build and operate WildPlay Maple Ridge. This newest park opened in July offering Monkido Aerial Adventure Courses at the former home of the Maple Ridge Campground, 3km from Golden Ears Park.