Greenway Park Rangers: Meet the Team in Green

10, Sep, 2014 Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy
“Rangers need to care about the Greenway and be excited about the philosophy of the Conservancy.  Rangers need to have strong people-skills, with a strong desire to educate, assist, converse, and at times, cajole folks. Rangers need to have a drive to educate themselves about the Greenway and Boston and in doing so, become the best park ranger they can be.  And rangers need to have the altruism to do the advocacy and outreach that needs to be done to help those in need.”
– Trina Alexknovitch, Senior Park Ranger  

________________

Welcome Trina Alexknovitch and Omar Mejia, the Greenway’s new Park Rangers!

Trina Alexknovitch, Senior Park Ranger

 

I came to the Greenway Conservancy after having 12 years’ experience as a certified NH Police Officer, Public Defender Major Crimes Investigator,  and Campus Safety Officer at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, NH. I was drawn to the position of Senior Park Ranger for many reasons.  I truly love the opportunity to engage people, to educate folks about the Greenway, about Boston, and about the ‘Big Dig’.  It’s an incredible experience for me when I approach people who ‘look lost’ and end up spending several minutes speaking with them about the Greenway!

I was also drawn to the position because of the Conservancy’s goal to set up collaboration and referral efforts with the area social service agencies.  In this way, I keep the Greenway safe and enjoyable for all visitors and I perform a much needed service for other folks. Each park has its own unique character which brings unique challenges.  The times that I have walked through parcels without a need to enforce a rule have been remarkably peaceful times. This is the kind of experience that every visitor should have when they come to the Greenway- a walk through a remarkably peaceful place. I want to strive towards a time when I can walk the entire Greenway and not have an enforcement encounter!

I have been given a great opportunity in establishing the Park Ranger Department for the Conservancy.  I realize the importance of having Park Rangers who have the right “heart”. Being afforded the opportunity to develop the Park Ranger Department along the principles that embody the character and philosophy of the Conservancy  is a humbling experience.

 

Omar Mejia, Park Ranger

 

I am originally from Boston, and graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science/Anthropology. I have worked for both the Commonwealth and the City of Boston as a Park Ranger serving all of the Emerald Necklace Parks, Castle Island and various beaches in between, as well as one year in the Massachusetts State House. Additionally, I was a Forest and Park Supervisor at the Blue Hills Reservation for two seasons. The experiences these opportunities provided  have been invaluable in my career thus far. I look forward to contributing my share to preserve and enhance the quality of the Greenway, to truly make it the best park in the City of Boston.

 

We’re thrilled to have these two as part of the Greenway Team. Please don’t hesitate to say hello and reach out to Trina and Omar with any questions or concerns while you are in the park.

See you on the Greenway,

Meredith