Virtual
Outdoor Authority: Questions and Answers for Winter-time Outdoor Recreation
October 13, 2026
•
11:00 a.m.
-
12:30 p.m. ET
When municipal spaces are used for outdoor recreation, what third-party liability can arise? From trails to stairways outdoor recreation liability is an ongoing risk for municipalities, and understanding it is key to preventing and defending injury claims.
In this 90-minute session, Tracy Eso and Terry Piche (ORFA) will cover:
- Occupiers’ Liability legislation and its specific impact to outdoor municipal spaces
- The appropriate scope and frequency of inspection and oversight
- How to make signage more effective and defensible
- Contributory negligence and how it can reduce claim impact
Participants will receive an electronic copy of the new ORFA/IPE Recreation Risk Manual.
Speaker Information
Terry Piche
Terry Piche has been active in the field of recreation since 1979. Starting as a frontline practitioner with no training, he has subsequently obtained diplomas through distance learning in arena management and leisure services while still working his way through the ranks of supervisor, manager and director. This passion for life-long learning is what he strives to instill in the next generation of practitioners.
Today, his work focuses on monitoring legislative change of the many complex regulations, codes and acts that impact recreation. He further works closely with several key governing authorities so that they may better understand what ORFA is investing in to assist their efforts in compliance. In addition, he captures industry experiences and best practices, turning them into plain-English while offering actionable, easy-to-implement and practical solutions that are inserted into ORFA training courses that result in professional accreditation. Terry has been recognized with numerous industry awards.
Tracy Eso
Tracy Eso is a Risk Assessment & Solutions Specialist with Intact Public Entities, recognized for her wide-ranging expertise in risk management, including climate resilience, nature-based solutions (NbS), contractual risk transfer, and emergency preparedness.
Tracy supports both municipalities and community service organizations by researching emerging risks, developing best-practice solutions, and delivering tailored presentations to councils, staff, and boards. She is known for her ability to dive deeply into client issues, providing practical advice with an enthusiasm that is only outmatched by her knowledge.
Her expertise spans climate adaptation, contractual risk transfer, coastal erosion, wildfire risk, and recreation facility safety. She has contributed to provincial and regional working groups, including the Great Lakes Coastal Resilience Group, the Insurance Sector Advisory Group on Nature-based Solutions, and the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (ORFA) Research & Development Committee.
Tracy is also a frequent speaker at conferences across Canada, including the national CRIMS conference, SPIAO, and numerous municipal forums. She keeps closely connected to clients and industry partners, maintaining strong relationships that allow her to stay ahead of the issues that municipalities and community service organizations are facing.
Committed to lifelong learning, Tracy recently completed a micro-credential at Royal Roads University and actively pursues professional development opportunities, passing those insights on to clients. She holds the CIP, CRM, and ACI designations. In addition to her technical expertise, Tracy is widely regarded as a mentor and leader, helping to strengthen both the Risk Management team and the clients she serves.
In this 90-minute session, Tracy Eso and Terry Piche (ORFA) will cover:
- Occupiers’ Liability legislation and its specific impact to outdoor municipal spaces
- The appropriate scope and frequency of inspection and oversight
- How to make signage more effective and defensible
- Contributory negligence and how it can reduce claim impact
Participants will receive an electronic copy of the new ORFA/IPE Recreation Risk Manual.
Speaker Information
Terry Piche
Terry Piche has been active in the field of recreation since 1979. Starting as a frontline practitioner with no training, he has subsequently obtained diplomas through distance learning in arena management and leisure services while still working his way through the ranks of supervisor, manager and director. This passion for life-long learning is what he strives to instill in the next generation of practitioners.
Today, his work focuses on monitoring legislative change of the many complex regulations, codes and acts that impact recreation. He further works closely with several key governing authorities so that they may better understand what ORFA is investing in to assist their efforts in compliance. In addition, he captures industry experiences and best practices, turning them into plain-English while offering actionable, easy-to-implement and practical solutions that are inserted into ORFA training courses that result in professional accreditation. Terry has been recognized with numerous industry awards.
Tracy Eso
Tracy Eso is a Risk Assessment & Solutions Specialist with Intact Public Entities, recognized for her wide-ranging expertise in risk management, including climate resilience, nature-based solutions (NbS), contractual risk transfer, and emergency preparedness.
Tracy supports both municipalities and community service organizations by researching emerging risks, developing best-practice solutions, and delivering tailored presentations to councils, staff, and boards. She is known for her ability to dive deeply into client issues, providing practical advice with an enthusiasm that is only outmatched by her knowledge.
Her expertise spans climate adaptation, contractual risk transfer, coastal erosion, wildfire risk, and recreation facility safety. She has contributed to provincial and regional working groups, including the Great Lakes Coastal Resilience Group, the Insurance Sector Advisory Group on Nature-based Solutions, and the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (ORFA) Research & Development Committee.
Tracy is also a frequent speaker at conferences across Canada, including the national CRIMS conference, SPIAO, and numerous municipal forums. She keeps closely connected to clients and industry partners, maintaining strong relationships that allow her to stay ahead of the issues that municipalities and community service organizations are facing.
Committed to lifelong learning, Tracy recently completed a micro-credential at Royal Roads University and actively pursues professional development opportunities, passing those insights on to clients. She holds the CIP, CRM, and ACI designations. In addition to her technical expertise, Tracy is widely regarded as a mentor and leader, helping to strengthen both the Risk Management team and the clients she serves.