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ontario parks association

Protecting Tomorrow Today®

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  • Registered Playground Practitioner

Registered Playground Practitioner

Instructed By:
Andrew Harvey

Andrew Harvey is a Registered Playground Practitioner, Certified Playground Inspector,  Landscape Designer and owner of Grace-Kells Consultant with over 10 years experience with children's play spaces. His specialities include playground safety and accessibility, playground design, school grounds greening and participatory design. Andrew regularly collaborates on school grounds greening projects and annually conducts research visits at early childhood education centres in Japan. He has a graduate degree in landscape architecture and is a full member of the Association des architectes paysagistes du Québec as well as an affiliate member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects.

Ontario Parks Association (OPA) developed the Registered Playground Practitioner Program to meet the needs of those involved with, and responsible for, the installation, inspection, and maintenance of public playspaces and playground facilities. The Ontario Parks Association instructors include experts from the industry including an architect, liability expert, lawyer, and a representative of the CSA Standards Association. 

Upon completion of the program and achievement of a passing grade in the written examination(s) the participant will be registered by the Ontario Parks Association as a "Playground Practitioner" and is qualified to inspect playgrounds. The OPA Registered Playground Practitioner Program is recognized as a playground safety course for inspectors by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Your "Playground Practitioner" registration will be valid for 4 years post completion date, at that time a mandatory update/refresher course will be necessary to keep your registration valid. 


PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO COURSE EFFECTIVE FALL 2024: 

- Course length is now only 4 days in length! 

- Exam to be taken online; to be completed by 4:00 p.m. following Wednesday of course.

- Registration as "Playground Practitioner" for the course will now be valid for 4 years, and then mandatory update/refresher will be necessary.
This course teaches:
  • Playspace Strategies (space requirements, playability, access/egress requirements, playspace design, age appropriate issues, playspace materials, & playspace construction)
  • Playspace Evaluation (play value and hazard identification, inspection and maintenance, surfacing evaluation, record keeping, CSA overview, & corrective actions)
  • Playspace Management (liability and insurance, due diligence, contractual obligations, risk management, owner/operator responsibilities, employee/manager responsibilities, & play value and practical choices)

Required Materials: CSA Z614-20: Children's Playspaces and Equipment (purchase it from the CSA Shop)

This course is worth 4 credits towards your Parks Practitioner Designation.

Want to host this session? 
For this session we require a classroom that can accommodate at least 30 people and has a projector, screen, white board or flip chart available. The host facility needs to be within a short distance (preferably walking distance) to a playground that has climbing equipment, independent spring toy(s), a slide (j.r and s.r if possible) and swings for the demonstration portion of the training session.

Here's what people say about this course: 

  • "A lot of information, but a very good course"
  • "Very informative and covered all aspects
  • "Very impressive, the daily guest speakers are a perfect addition to the course"
  • "A really interesting course"
  • "Great job - thanks for all of the knowledge"

Upcoming events

  • Registered Playground Practitioner Update/Refresher Course

    • 19 Dec 2025
    • 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    • Online - Zoom
    Register

    In keeping with best practices, all Playground Practitioners registered with Ontario Parks Association are required to attend an update/refresher course when a new Z614: Children's playspaces and equipment standard is released by CSA or every 4 years, whichever happens first. If you wish to remain an OPA Registered Playground Practitioner in good standing you are required to take part in this half day update and pass the course test.


    Prerequisite: You MUST be a current RPP with OPA to attend this course. 


    This course will review the recent changes to the CSA Z614:20 standard if there are any. Attendees will receive a wallet size card stating that they have attended the update and are still a current RPP with OPA. 

    Prior to attending the training, 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 of the standard (sharing books with other class participants is not permitted). Attendees can choose to use either a hard copy of the book or an electronic PDF version which can be accessed 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). Books can be purchased at the CSA Online Shop.

    NOTE: This course will count as 1 credit towards your Parks Practitioner Certificate.


    Show details

  • Registered Playground Practitioner Program - County of Brant

    • 07 Apr 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • 10 Apr 2026
    • 5:00 PM
    • 7 Gaukel Dr. St. George, Ontario, N0E 1N0
    • 18
    Register

    The Ontario Parks Association (OPA) is proud to present the Registered Playground Practitioner Program—designed for those responsible for the hands-on inspections and maintenance of public playspaces and playground facilities.

    ✨ Important Updates for 2025!

    • Shorter Course Length: Now just 4 days!

    • New Online Exam

    • Extended Registration Validity: Practitioner Registration now valid for 4 years before a refresher/update is required.

    Course Materials

    All attendees must purchase a copy of the NEW CSA Z614-20 Standard (Children’s Playspaces and Equipment).

    • The final exam is open book, so you’ll need your own copy—no sharing permitted.

    • Choose either:

      • A PDF version (tablet/e-device allowed, but internet/texting disabled during exam), or

      • A hard copy (available via the CSA Online Shop). Purchase Here

    Why This Training Matters

    At OPA, safe play is a top priority. This program is all about ensuring children enjoy fun, safe, and accessible outdoor play experiences. Beyond inspection and compliance, we’ll emphasize the importance of positive play experiences and educating caregivers, supervisors, and operators.

    What You’ll Learn

    This training, built on the CSA Z614-20 Standard, combines classroom instruction with on-site demonstrations at a local playground. Led by industry experts (architects, liability experts, lawyers, CSA representatives, and more), you’ll gain hands-on knowledge in three key areas:

    Playspace Strategies

    • Playspace requirements & design

    • Playability & age-appropriate issues

    • Access/egress requirements

    • Materials & construction

    Playspace Evaluation

    • Play value & hazard identification

    • Surfacing evaluation

    • Inspection & maintenance

    • Corrective actions & CSA overview

    Playspace Management

    • Liability, insurance & risk management

    • Record keeping & due diligence

    • Owner/operator responsibilities

    • Employee/manager obligations

    • Contractual considerations

    Certification

    Participants who complete the program and pass the exam will be registered by OPA as a Playground Practitioner, qualified to conduct playground inspections.

    This program is officially recognized by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services as a playground safety course for inspectors.

    Course Details

    • Date: April 7th-10th, 2026

    • Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    • Location: 7 Gaukel Dr. St. George, Ontario, N0E 1N0

    ⚠️ Meals are not provided—please bring your own lunch, coffee, and snacks.

    Register Here

    Course Cost

    • OPA Member: $1,358.00

    • OPA Potential Member: $1,605.00


    Register above online. An invoice will be sent to you within 24 hours of registering. Payment can be made online through the invoice you will receive or via cheque (made payable to Ontario Parks Association). Course is required to be  paid for before the start of the course.

    Show details

For more information on hosting or attending, please send an email referencing the course title to training@ontarioparksassociation.ca
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