Park Encampments: Outreach & Response - One Day Workshop

Our new One Day In-Person Workshop!

OPA is happy to announce that, in partnership with the City of Toronto, we are able to introduce our Parks Encampments: Outreach & Response One Day Workshop to our members.

Park Encampments:  Outreach and Response is a full day workshop designed to provide information to Parks and municipal staff dealing with encampments; exploring best practices, safe operating procedures and sharing experiences.  The workshop will provide an overview on understanding the scope of this complex issue, contributing factors to homelessness and the need for creating a coordinated response team.  Participants will learn about tools to track encampments, provide outreach and engage with clients.  The workshop focuses on staff roles and responsibilities, best practices in staff training for both hard and soft skills and shares information about tools and equipment needed to work on all types of terrain and park areas.  This course also covers strategic thinking and innovative ideas as well as ideas to keep parks spaces open, safe and accessible for all.  This workshop encourages information and idea sharing, as well as group discussion around shared concerns to help all participants gain a deeper understanding of how to offer outreach and respond to encampments in public greenspace.

Our Instructors: 

Esther Afriat has been working for the City of Toronto for 23 year with the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division. She has a diploma in Recreation and Leisure Service from Centennial College and the PRO Parks and Recreation Management Certificate from the Executive Education Centre at Schulich. 

Esther has worked with Parks and Recreation in various capacities, including supervisor of issues management, recreation supervisor, policy offer and parks general supervisor.  Esther became involved in the encampment file in early Covid and has proven herself as a problem solver and leader.  She is compassionate and innovative in her approach and firm in her resolve to make a difference. 

Grant Drygas as over 25 years experience working in parks, snow removal and landscaping field. Grant has over 25 years' experience in private landscaping and snow removal businesses and working for local governments including the City of Brampton and the City of Toronto.   He has more than 14 years experience at the City in Solid Waste and Parks.  He has been with PF&R for 10 years and was seconded to the Encampment team after a "trial by fire".  He leads PF&R Encampment Unit – a unique unit at the City that is empowered by Grant’s attitude to go over and above as it relates to encampment cleaning.  Grant's work and dedication has been a crucial part of the City of Toronto's encampment story, and it’s successes are a direct result of his leadership.

This course is worth .5 credit towards your Parks Practitioner Designation.