Hidden equestrian heritage remains tucked away in Lynn Valley

Today, Lynn Valley is known for its residential neighbourhoods, trails and busy town centre. But tucked among its streets are reminders of a time when horses were a much more visible part of the community. One of those reminders is the former Laura Lynn Riding Club.

The club’s story began in 1951, when John and Evelyn Donovan moved to Lynn Valley. They acquired 21 acres of land from the District of North Vancouver through the Veterans’ Land Act and built a home there. Soon after arriving, the Donovans saw a need for a local riding club.

They built equestrian stables on their property and established the Laura Lynn Riding Club. Over time, the club grew. It eventually had two barns with room for 35 horses. Scandinavian-style cabins and a main lodge were also built for members and visitors. More than 70 years later, parts of that history remain.

The lodge and cabins still stand as part of the Laura Lynn Townhomes. They offer a glimpse into a different version of Lynn Valley, when the community was more rural and equestrian facilities formed part of the local landscape. Other traces of that past have also been documented. Historical accounts point to horse-related infrastructure around Lynn Valley, including a stone trough near what is now TD Bank that was once used to water horses.

The surviving buildings show how much Lynn Valley has changed. Land that once accommodated horses, barns and a riding club now sits within a largely residential community. Yet some of the structures have remained while the neighbourhood has grown around them. The history is being kept alive through local records.