Celebrating Our 2026 Summer Interns

Each summer, The Greenway welcomes a new group of interns who bring fresh perspectives, curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm to our team. From communications and program planning to public art and behind-the-scenes administrative projects, our interns get hands-on experience supporting the many people and projects that make The Greenway possible.

This summer, we were thrilled to welcome seven interns to the Conservancy across our Programs, Outreach, Public Art, and Administration/Finance departments. Throughout the season, they worked alongside staff, contributed to projects across the park, and gained a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to care for and activate a 1.5-mile urban park.

Whether they were creating content, supporting community events, engaging with visitors, or learning about the day-to-day operations of a nonprofit, each intern brought something unique to the team.

As the summer comes to a close, we’re excited to share more about the people who helped make it such a memorable one!

4 young adults stand in front of a large photo of the Norwegian soccer team.
(Left to right) Gracie, Audrey, Gianella, and Cat at the Norwegian Fan Fest event at Rowes Wharf Plaza

 

Our 2026 Summer Interns

Supporting our Programs Team: Julian, Audrey, and Cat

This summer, our programs team was assisted by three interns whose work included supporting our brand activations, Food Truck and Fitness Programs, and also planned their own events as part of our Carousel of Curiosity and Off the Clock series.

“From Norgefest, to Gala, to Jazz in the Park, every event I contributed to on The Greenway was an exciting mini-placemaking project to make the park come to life. The highlight of my summer was being the brains behind Dewey After Dark, a late-night techno dance party with two back-to-back DJ sets. It felt extremely rewarding to see this event draw hundreds of people to come dance at the park.” – Julian

“The project I’m most proud of this summer is one that started long before my internship even began, a Cake Potluck…. As the lead, I worked with Cat, a fellow intern, Ruby, our manager, and our partner, Bake Club Boston, to bring it to life. Along the way, I navigated challenges I hadn’t expected, including coordinating with a first-time partner, figuring out permitting and food regulations for a public space, and managing the uncertainty of a free, ticketless event where a no-show was always a possibility. When more than 80 people (and 80 cakes!) showed up, it felt like proof that the planning and worry had been worth it.” – Audrey

“Events have easily been my favorite part of the summer…Each week brought something exciting and different: rock painting at the carousel, film screenings in Chinatown, or techno dancing on Dewey Square. I had the chance to work with all types of people, small businesses, nonprofits, and Massachusetts state agencies alike, to bring these events to life. But what I loved most were the people I met along the way. Big or small, every interaction with a partner or community member reminded me why public parks matter; they serve and include people.” – Cat

A group of people stand in front of a Roxbury fire truck, smiling at the camera.
Programs interns and team members with Roxbury Firefighters at Truck and Tractor Day

Supporting our Public Art Team: Maya 

Maya was one of two interns from the Boston University Launchpad Program who worked with our Greenway teams this summer. With a background in art and sustainability, Maya supported our Public Art team with event planning, installation monitoring, and communications projects.

“As someone fascinated by both art and environmentalism, this is an atmosphere in which I thrived. From social media to event planning, I was able to see and participate in the multidimensionality of tasks that go into creating public art. It has allowed me to imagine a potential career within public art and bring more art into the mundanity that comes along with day-to-day life. Something I really enjoyed during the course of this internship was the amount of contact with and exposure to artists who inspire me. I was able to work very closely with artists and further understand the ins and outs of their practices and processes.” – Maya

A group of people stands holding a large quilt-like sheet over their heads. They are on a sidewalk in a city setting.
Maya (left) at the opening celebration for Vivian Tran’s because you are the sun; because you are the thread, 2026

Supporting our Administration & Finance Team: Gianella 

Gianella was also a member of the Boston University Launchpad Program and brought research and administrative support to the Greenway Conservancy’s finance and administration team. 

“Throughout my 10 weeks at The Greenway, I had the opportunity to contribute to a project focused on supporting the park’s continued growth and evolution. This research project became a gateway for me to learn so much about what goes on behind the scenes of managing a public green space. I gained a deeper understanding of the behind-the-scenes work that supports public spaces, while developing valuable skills in research, outreach, and project coordination. This summer offered a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand all the work it takes to activate a public space like The Greenway year-round.” – Gianella

Two young women are sitting at a red table in an outdoor city setting. There are takeout boxes of food on the table in front of them.
Gianella (right) having lunch on Dewey Square with Programs Intern, Cat (left)

Supporting our Outreach Team: Gracie

A recent college graduate with experience in film and environmental science, Gracie brought a passion for storytelling to our marketing and communications efforts this summer. From creating content about our Arboretum status to telling the stories of our Food Truck and Fitness Partners, Gracie’s work highlighted much of what makes The Greenway special: the people who visit the park each and every day.

“I’ve grown leaps and bounds in my short-form video creation, in my photo composition, in my public communications, and in my love for the people and places like The Greenway that work tirelessly to make their communities and the environment better each day. My time has not only taught me how to value and trust my creative voice and opinions, but also that chasing my curiosity and desire for connection makes an impact in ways I couldn’t begin to imagine before.” – Gracie

A person wearing a blue shirt with a green logo is holding a camera and taking a photo of a tree in a city park setting.
Gracie documenting various tree species for the Horticulture Team

Working alongside our Rangers: Felix

This summer we also had the opportunity to connect with the Cambridge Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP), to work with a high school student preparing for graduation and future planning. This opportunity allowed us to support the work of our Park Rangers, creating a Park Ambassador role for our intern, Felix. This work involved learning the ins and outs of The Greenway and being an in-person resource for our visitors by answering questions, providing directions, and observing park activity on a daily basis.

“I certainly look at parks, and especially clean parks, with a greater deal of respect. The amount of effort it takes to maintain a park is shocking, and I salute those who dedicate themselves to the pursuit of it.” – Felix

 

Learning Beyond the Classroom

An internship at The Greenway is an opportunity to learn by doing. Our interns work alongside professionals across departments and experience firsthand the collaboration, creativity, and care that go into managing a public park in the heart of Boston. Their work made a real impact on The Greenway and the people who visit it every day. Just as importantly, their questions, ideas, and perspectives helped our team see our work from a new point of view and gain valuable insights into how we can continue to shape the park.

 

Thank You, 2026 Interns!

We’re incredibly grateful to Julian, Audrey, Cat, Maya, Gianella, Gracie, and Felix for everything they brought to The Greenway this summer. Thank you for your hard work, creativity, flexibility, and enthusiasm — and for becoming part of the Greenway community.

Interested in spending a summer on The Greenway? Keep an eye out for future internship opportunities with the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy.