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ontario parks association

Protecting Tomorrow Today®

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  • Water Trail and Paddling Recreation Risk Management (NEW!)

Water Trail and Paddling Recreation Risk Management (NEW!)


Instructed By:


Dr. Jeff Jackson, Ph.D.

Presented in Partnership with:


Water Trail and Paddling Recreation Risk Management (NEW!)

Paddling is a staple in Ontario’s parks and recreation offerings. With the emergence of water trail tourism and the wide range of paddle craft now on the water, risk management principles from land- based trail management are instructive in building user safety and minimizing risk exposure to the organization.

This live webinar lays the foundation for water trail tourism and paddling recreation programs to plan and organize their risk management practices.

The theory session covers:

  • Mandatory baseline risk management practices for water-based offerings
  • The legal environment, legislative requirements, and defenses against negligence
  • Water trail risk management systems, user safety, and trail management objectives
  • Access, information and signage principles
  • Paddling recreation user safety systems

This live webinar is taught by Jeff Jackson, Ph.D., a recognized expert in risk management and long-time facilitator of the OTC’s risk management training. His experience ranges from provincial level recreation and tourism policy development, expert opinion in trail and paddling-based legal proceedings, and work as a risk consultant. For over 25 years Jeff taught in Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure diploma program and has been a paddling guide for over 35 years.

NOTE: this 3 hour training course is delivered via one 3 hour online session.


Upcoming events

  • Trails Risk Management - Level 3 Presented in Partnership with Ontario Trails Council

    • 22 Jun 2026
    • 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Jack Burger Sports Complex 60 Highland Dr, Port Hope On. L1A 3Z7
    • 7
    Register

    This in-person training course combines classroom discussion with on the ground trail assessment exercises and evaluation of existing trail risk factors and requirements. Risk assessment for multi use or activity optimized trail networks is the core process that identifies risk management needs. This applied training prepares participants as trail inspectors and risk assessors. This is the third training in the trail risk management progression.

    The on-the-ground training covers:

    •  Trail inspection and risk assessment process and procedures 
    • Risk assessment tied to trail management objectives
    • Objective versus subjective assessment criteria
    • Inspection forms and documentation

    This in-person training is taught by Jeff Jackson, Ph.D., a recognized expert in trail risk management and long-time facilitator of the OTC’s risk management training. His experience ranges from provincial level trail policy development, expert opinion in trail-based legal proceedings, publishing a number of risk management chapters in trail related publications, and work as a risk consultant, trail builder and manager in both winter and summer.

    Participants are to bring footwear, rain jacket and water bottle, plus their existing inspection forms or inspection documentation.

    Pre-requisite: OPA’s Trail Risk Management – level 1 & 2 online webinar

    NOTE: this 8 hour training course is delivered in-person, in class and outdoors.

    Course Date: June 22, 2026

    Course Time: 8:00am-4:00pm

    Course Location: Jack Burger Sports Complex 60 Highland Dr, Port Hope On. L1A 3Z7

    This course is being delivered in partnership with Ontario Trails Council and counts as 1 credit towards your Parks Practitioner Designation.

    Please register online, an invoice will be sent to you within 24hrs of registering. Payment can then be made online through the invoice you will receive or via cheque (made payable to Ontario Parks Association).



    Show details

  • Trails Risk Management - Level 3 Presented in Partnership with Ontario Trails Council

    • 23 Jun 2026
    • 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Jack Burger Sports Complex 60 Highland Dr, Port Hope On. L1A 3Z7
    • 9
    Register

    This in-person training course combines classroom discussion with on the ground trail assessment exercises and evaluation of existing trail risk factors and requirements. Risk assessment for multi use or activity optimized trail networks is the core process that identifies risk management needs. This applied training prepares participants as trail inspectors and risk assessors. This is the third training in the trail risk management progression.

    The on-the-ground training covers:

    •  Trail inspection and risk assessment process and procedures 
    • Risk assessment tied to trail management objectives
    • Objective versus subjective assessment criteria
    • Inspection forms and documentation

    This in-person training is taught by Jeff Jackson, Ph.D., a recognized expert in trail risk management and long-time facilitator of the OTC’s risk management training. His experience ranges from provincial level trail policy development, expert opinion in trail-based legal proceedings, publishing a number of risk management chapters in trail related publications, and work as a risk consultant, trail builder and manager in both winter and summer.

    Participants are to bring footwear, rain jacket and water bottle, plus their existing inspection forms or inspection documentation.

    Pre-requisite: OPA’s Trail Risk Management – level 1 & 2 online webinar

    NOTE: this 8 hour training course is delivered in-person, in class and outdoors.

    Course Date: June 23, 2026

    Course Time: 8:00am-4:00pm

    Course Location: Jack Burger Sports Complex 60 Highland Dr, Port Hope On. L1A 3Z7

    This course is being delivered in partnership with Ontario Trails Council and counts as 1 credit towards your Parks Practitioner Designation.

    Please register online, an invoice will be sent to you within 24hrs of registering. Payment can then be made online through the invoice you will receive or via cheque (made payable to Ontario Parks Association).



    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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