2022 OPA Spring Green Sward

From the desk of the Office Manager

Happy Spring! It has been quite the winter this year. I for one look forward to spring.

My name is Leesa Woodhouse and I am the Office Manager at OPA. I started with OPA back in November of 2021 and it has been great learning about all that OPA offers and how we aim to Protect tomorrow today. I moved around a lot as a kid as my parents were both ministers but when I was in Grade 6, we moved to Niagara Falls which I consider home. In this issue of the Green Sward and in future issues, I would like to highlight one city or town and showcase the parks and trails that they have to offer. For the first issue I have chosen Niagara Falls. I reached out to the Mayor of Niagara Falls, Jim Diodati and asked him to write an article and share some pictures of the many trails and parks that the Falls has to offer. Mayor Diodati felt that the Chair of the Niagara Parks Commission April Jeffs, would be a better choice to share this with us. April has shared some great pictures with us and one of them is my favourite place. Dufferin Islands or as locals call it “the duff”. Going back to the last day of High School, we would find ourselves at “the Duff” celebrating summer with all of the 6 High Schools at that time. There are a few islands that make up this beautiful park and we used to swim there and BBQ and just enjoy our surroundings. Since becoming a parent and now a grandparent, I love to take my family there and check out the trails and have a picnic and enjoy the wonder of this magical place. Be sure to check this wonderful park out next time you visit the Falls. As a previous employee within the Parks and Rec field, I got to see the value of parks and trails in all of our communities. Whether it is playing baseball on a field, soccer, taking the kids to the splash pad on a hot summer day or just going for a walk on a trail and taking in the colours and smells of nature. Parks and Trails are a vital part of our life. I cannot imagine what the last 2 years would have been like if I wasn’t able to go on a hike or take my grandkids to a conservation area. I truly believe that it helps with physical and mental health, just by getting outside and enjoying our beautiful parks and trails.

I look forward to my future at OPA and what we can accomplish to Protect Tomorrow Today © .

Take Care Leesa Woodhouse

Please note that the AGM is Tuesday June 21 st at 9am virtually. Link will be shared closer to the date.

Page 11

Ontario Parks Association

Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog