The name X̱wemelch'stn, translates to "Fast Moving Water of Fish", relating to the Capilano River.
The name Kiapila'noq means "people of Kiap", and was the title of the supreme chief of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh in the area of English Bay.
The Capilano Reserve is the site of major commercial and residential developments, mostly on the West Vancouver side of its area.
These include the Park Royal Shopping Centre and associated apartment buildings, and a small office tower adjacent to the intersection of Taylor Way, and a large recreational vehicle park more or less beneath the northern end of the Lions Gate Bridge (the highway interchange for the bridge is also on reserve land).
Foreshore properties along Vancouver Harbour leased from reserve lands include bulk terminals and other port facilities.