From the Training Desk – Jonathon MacAlpine
As we wrap up 2022, I’m happy to say that this Fall has been an exciting one for OPA in the training department! This fall has seen one of our most prominent courses successfully pass to a new set of hands, the successful return of our Annual Parks Education Forum, the introduction of several new exciting courses, and the development of some exciting opportunities for training partnerships! I’d like to thank all the work that our trainers have put in this year to meet the growing training needs of our members & municipal communities and to help make 2022 another successful year for OPA. Since our last Green Sward article, we were able to run a Trails Specialist course in the Blue Mountain area; have kept our chainsaw trainer, Bob Smith, busy with a string of chainsaw and chipper trainings in communities across Ontario; ran several Book 7 training sessions and introduced several new programs. Our Parks Encampment course has been a very popular addition, having premiered earlier this year, but being made a regularly scheduled course this Fall. We’re excited to have Esther Afriat & Grant Drygas work more frequently with us to help address this highly sensitive issue that many communities across Ontario are facing more and more. We’ve also been able to work with the Smart About Salt Council to share a Smart About Salt Introductory course that highlights not only best practices, but the importance of proper salt use to avoid potential hazards and environmental damage. As well, we’ve been proud to work with Donna Zarudny, BLA, MLA. of Humber College to premier Level 1 of our Horticulture Practitioner program, which provided attendees with a wealth of knowledge to introduce them to the world of Horticulture through 2 weeks of self-guided learning. This course is one we will be developing further into 2023, as we will be releasing the 2nd and 3rd levels of this course. We are currently
working with Donna to finalize our plan for delivering these last two sessions, and we can’t wait to share that news with you in the new year! I’d also like to take the opportunity to say thank you to everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working with both inside and outside of OPA, as I will be moving on from OPA come January, and the position of Training Coordinator will be filled by Joshua Goetz. He comes to use with a background in sales and as a law clerk, and he has been very eager to learn about everything that comes with this position. I am confident that OPA will be in good hands, and look forward to hearing about what OPA is up to in the coming years! In Spring of 2023, we have the following offerings confirmed, but we welcome you to look at our offerings available on our website and reach out to us at training@ontarioparksassociation.ca if there’s a session you would be interested in booking!
January 17, 2023 Park Encampments: Outreach & Response – One Day Workshop - Ajax, ON (Soon to be open for public enrollment)
March 21 & 22, 2023 Sports Turf Maintenance - Online
March 27 - 31, 2023 Registered Playground Practitioner Program - Peterborough, ON April 24 – 28, 2023 Registered Playground Practitioner Program – Niagara Falls, ON May 4, 2022 Seasonal Equipment Training – Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority – Private Session
The Green Sward – Winter 2022
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