Wooden Roller Coaster

Built board by board in 1958, the Wooden Roller Coaster is Playland’s most historic and spectacular attraction. Reaching speeds of 45 mph on the steepest drop, the many twists, turns and camel hops of the Wooden Roller Coaster’s 2,840 feet of track keep you on the edge of your seat until the last hair-raising turn into the station! In 2009, the Coaster was designated as a “ACE Roller Coaster Landmark.”

Most recently, the Coaster was named top wooden coaster in Canada, and 7th in the world. Read more (pdf).

“Playland’s Wooden Roller Coaster is an absolute treasure, an immaculately maintained piece of history that has thrilled generations of visitors and will hopefully remain for generations to come. They just don’t make ’em like this any more.”

Read the whole story at ellocoaster.com

The family of Carl Phare, the architect, engineer and designer of the Playland Coaster, has donated back to the PNE the original architectural blueprints of the Wooden Roller Coaster made by Carl Phare in 1957. These are the only remaining original drawings known to exist. We consider these drawings a city and provincial treasure, and they will be kept in the PNE archive vault with the respect and care they deserve.

The City of Vancouver has declared August 2nd as Playland Wooden Coaster Day!