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Protecting Tomorrow Today®

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Calendar of Events

Click here to see the full list of courses OPA offers.

 

For your convenience and to help stretch your budget dollars, OPA will bring any of the courses listed here to your municipality or organization. We encourage you to let us know if you are interested even if you can only send one or two staff. We will combine your training with neighbouring organizations. Not only will this provide valuable training, but also foster and facilitate communication and experience sharing among your local and neighboring organizations. Call today to register and we will assist you through the process. 


Please click here to view OPA’s Registration Policies including:

  • Cancellation / Substitution and Transfer Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Waiver / Disclaimer

Upcoming events

    • 27 Nov 2023
    • 18 Dec 2023
    • Online-Webex
    Register

    OPA is happy to announce the launching of our Horticulture Practitioner Program developed in collaboration with Donna Zarudny, BLA, MLA., a professional career horticulturalist and professor at Humber College! Level 1 of this program will offer a new experience for OPA training, taking place over three weeks of self-guided learning, allowing attendees to work at their own pace through content covering the following topics: 


         Week 1

      • Botany
      • Turf

      • Greenhouse Operations

      • Production & Propagation

      Week 2
      • Advanced Display Design

      • Interior plantcaping, green roofs, ponds etc…

      • Xeriscaping

      • Trade Calculations

      Week 3
      • Purchasing, ordering tendering materials

      • Computer programs & Record keeping

      • Basic Project Management

      • Managing Staff, HR Skills, Leadership Skills

    Prerequisite: 

    • Completed HPP Level 2


    This course will have quizzes every Monday and Q&A session presented online on the afternoons of Nov 20th,  Nov 27th, and Dec 4th with our instructor providing answers to any questions that attendees may have during each 1 week period. 

    Our goal with our 3-Level Horticulture Practitioner Program is to provide valuable information for those looking to get into the field of Horticulture that will take them from newcomer to job-ready.  This program also aims to provide career advancement for those in the Horticulture field through attaining the OPA Horticulture Practitioner designation as a valuable resume asset. Each level will cover new topics or provide more depth to existing concepts, creating a strong foundation for those looking to build a career in the field of Horticulture.

    Click Here to Register

    • 14 Dec 2023
    • 8:00 AM
    • 15 Dec 2023
    • 4:30 PM
    • Online
    • 12
    Register

    Parks Operations & Maintenance Webinar


    COURSE INFORMATION:

    Working safely in a parks environment requires a comprehensive understanding of the tasks at hand and the equipment designed to effectively and efficiently perform the work. Today’s parks and open space practitioners must be able to function in various capacities. 


    This two-day course is designed to help enhance the competencies of both new and seasoned employees, while setting the right foundation blocks for those being introduced to the world of green space maintenance and management. Participants will be introduced to industry best practices, equipment, health and safety in the workplace and liability of the employee or municipality. Participants will also practice documentation and learn legislative requirements for protecting the municipality.


    This course will cover:

    • Legislation (OH&S, Bill C-45, WHMIS)
    • Personal Safety (potential hazards, PPE)
    • Accident Investigation & Documentation *Case Study and Assignment*
    • Invasive Species
    • Best Practices
    • Equipment Types & Operation
    • CVOR
    • Fuel Handling


    DATE: Dec 14th & 15th, 2023

    TIME: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

    LOCATION: Online


    COURSE COST
    OPA Member: $416.00
    OPA Potential Member: $653.00


    This course counts as 2 credits towards your Parks Practitioner Designation.


    Register above online. An invoice will be sent to you within 24hrs of registering. Payment can be made online through the invoice you will receive or via cheque (made payable to Ontario Parks Association).


    Click here to read our registration policies.

    • 24 Jan 2024
    • 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Webex - Online
    • 21
    Register

    OPA is excited to announce the new Full Day Horticultural Therapy Workshop

    Mutual Support: The Bridging of Horticultural Therapy and Green Spaces to Build Communal Health

    “I cultivate my garden and my garden cultivates me” - Robert Breault

    Research has shown that horticulture activities and intentional engagement in nature has the capacity to benefit our bodies and our minds, reduce stress, lower anxiety and encourage overall mental and emotional well-being.

    Rooted in those findings, Horticultural Therapy is the formal practice of purposefully using plants and nature-related activities to achieve goals that promote well-being for its participants. Among other things, the cultivation and nurturing of living material develop self-esteem and new ways of thinking about life and self-care.

    Join Horticultural Therapy Practitioner Guinevere Kern for an introductory full day workshop that explores the multifaceted ways in which horticulture can support health and wellness, how this can inform engagement in green spaces, and why this matters to individual and communal health.

    Topics that will be covered will include: 

    • what is horticultural therapy

    • current research supporting the therapeutic application of horticulture

    • relevancy to pressing issues of today

    • applications for green professions to support human health and well being.


    If you would like to register for this exciting new workshop, please click here



    • 22 Apr 2024
    • 8:00 AM
    • 26 Apr 2024
    • 5:00 PM
    • 333 McKinney Drive Whitby, Ont. L1R 3M2
    • 8
    Register

    Event Details:

    Ontario Parks Association (OPA) has developed the Registered Playground Practitioner Program to meet the needs of those involved and responsible for the hands-on inspections and maintenance of public playspaces and playground facilities.

    Safe Play - A High Priority

    Ontario Parks Association places a high priority and commitment on the provision of safe play structures in our public spaces. We want to help ensure that they are safe and accessible. OPA also emphasizes the strong need to educate caregivers, supervisors and others about the benefits of positive and safe play experiences for our children.

     

    What You Will Learn

    Attending this course will teach you about significantly lowering the risk of injuries in play areas by providing a safe outdoor learning experience for all. This course uses the CAN/CSA-Z614-20, Children's Playspaces and Equipment, as a base document for the three independent sections of the course. Ontario Parks Association instructors include experts from the industry including an architect, liability expert, lawyer, representative of the CSA Standards Association and others to give in-depth training on the following topics and includes an on-site demonstration at a local playground structure:


    Playspace Strategies Playspace Evaluation Playspace Management
    space requirements playvalue and hazard identification liability and insurance
    playability inspection and maintenance due diligence
    access/egress requirements surfacing evaluation contractual obligations
    playspace design record keeping risk management
    age appropriate issues CSA overview owner/operator responsibilities
    playspace materials corrective actions employee/manager responsibilities
    playspace construction   playvalue and practical choices


    Upon completion of the program and achievement of a passing grade in the written examination(s) the participant will be registered by Ontario Parks Association as a "Playground Practitioner" and is qualified to inspect playgrounds.

     

    OPA Registered Playground Practitioner Program is recognized as a playground safety course for inspectors by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.


    Attendees are required to purchase a copy of the NEW CSA Z614 - 20 Standard. The test at the end of the course is open book so attendees will need their own copy (sharing books is not permitted). Attendees can choose to either use the PDF version and bring it on their tablet or other electronic device (so long as they can turn off the use of internet / text messaging for the test as any use of outside sources is considered cheating and will not receive a passing grade) or the hard copy of the book. Books can be purchased at the CSA Online Shop.


    PLEASE NOTE: meals are not provided at this training session. Attendees will be required to bring their own lunch, coffee and snacks.

    Click here to read our Registration Policies




      DATE: April 22 - April 26, 2024

      TIME: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

      LOCATION: 333 McKinney Drive Whitby, Ont. L1R 3M2 


      COURSE COST

      OPA Member: $1,358.00

      OPA Potential Member: $1,605.00


      Register above online. An invoice will be sent to you within 24hrs of registering. Payment can be made online through the invoice you will receive or via cheque (made payable to Ontario Parks Association).


      Click here to read our registration policies.

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