This summer, Park Pride is thrilled to welcome four full-time interns! Our interns will help support efforts across our Visioning and Community Services programs, getting hands-on experience in Atlanta’s parks and greenspace sector. They join us from universities across the state and beyond – including Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Georgia and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Keep reading to get to know our fantastic summer interns!
Joyah Mitchell, Park Visioning Intern
Joyah, born and raised in metro Atlanta, is currently attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning, specializing in Housing & Community Development. She is interested in learning more about gentrification, food deserts, affordable housing, and the acquisition of resources for underserved populations. Overall, she strives to improve the experience of groups that have historically been excluded from the planning process.
Continue reading to get to know Joyah in her own words!
What does the “power of parks” mean to you?
The “power of parks” is the ability for people to come together and build a community in a space away from their homes and work/school.
Why are parks an important part of the community?
Parks are public spaces that are free and accessible where visitors get in touch with the people around them and the environment they live in.
What are you most excited about regarding your new role?
I am excited to learn more about the intricate planning that it takes to design and create Atlanta parks. I am especially excited since these are the same parks I grew up using!
How do you hope to empower communities to engage and make a difference in their neighborhood parks?
I want to encourage all park visitors, no matter their background or identity, to vocalize their wants and interests during our community engagement initiatives. No opinion is wrong and all perspectives are welcome.
What’s your favorite park memory?
For my 21st birthday, I planned a scavenger hunt and invited all my friends to participate. I had a great time exploring the park and celebrating with everyone!
Favorite Atlanta park (and why)?
My favorite City of Atlanta Park is Grant Park! During quarantine, I would meet up with my friends and we would have picnics together. However, my all-time favorite park is Panola Mountain State Park. I enjoy the beautiful scenery and the wide range of activities offered here.
Mary Flatt, Park Visioning Intern
Mary is a master’s student at Georgia State’s Urban Studies Institute. Originally from South Carolina, Mary moved to Atlanta for her undergraduate studies at Georgia Tech and fell in love with the city. Before starting her master’s program, Mary spent a few years working for Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development authority, and a local nonprofit, Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta. She has two cats, Cassie and Dipper, and spends her free time walking around her neighborhood trying every restaurant in sight!
Continue reading to get to know Mary in her own words!
What does the “power of parks” mean to you?
To me, the “power of parks” is their ability to connect people to their communities and the natural environment.
Why are parks an important part of the community?
Parks are a place where neighbors can come together for festivals, concerts, birthday parties, tennis matches, and so much more. Communities need places to gather, and parks provide that space in a non-judgmental way. Parks are also a place where communities can work together for change. I love seeing neighbors come together for volunteer days or work together on big changes like a new vision plan. I’ve met so many neighbors through activities at my local park.
What are you most excited about regarding your new role?
I’m looking forward to meeting some of the great people and communities working to make the parks in Atlanta the best they can be!
How do you hope to empower communities to engage and make a difference in their neighborhood parks?
I’m hoping to empower the neighbors in North Druid Hills through a new vision plan for W. D. Thomson Park. I’m excited to work with the community and learn about their hopes and dreams for the park.
What’s your favorite park memory?
Some of my favorite park memories are the monthly concerts in Cabbagetown Park. I love inviting friends who live nearby, listening to music, and spending time together.
Favorite Atlanta park (and why)?
I love so many parks so my answer changes daily, but for now, I’ll say Grant Park! I love walking underneath the big trees and playing pickleball with friends.
Lauren Anderson-Pirkle, Park Visioning Intern
Lauren is pursuing her master’s in landscape architecture at the University of Georgia. Before UGA, she received her master’s in city and regional planning from Georgia Tech and worked for several years as an environmental planner in Atlanta. Lauren lives in the North Druid Hills neighborhood with her husband, Olin, and her feisty senior dog Xan. She enjoys reading, hiking, and experiencing the city with friends.
Continue reading to get to know Lauren in her own words!
What does the “power of parks” mean to you?
The “power of parks” refers to the multi-faceted capacity of parks to connect people with themselves, each other, and the natural environment.
Why are parks an important part of the community?
Parks represent one of the few spaces in our communities that are free and accessible to anyone regardless of status or background. Having access to a park or greenspace has been proven to improve mental and physical health, and these spaces also foster a sense of community and connection between users.
What are you most excited about regarding your new role?
I am so excited to gain experience in community-driven design and learn from the Park Visioning team and my fellow interns. I love collaborative planning and design and enjoy the process of working with others to create a vision for community spaces.
How do you hope to empower communities to engage and make a difference in their neighborhood parks?
For the ongoing visioning plan for D. W. Thomson Park, I hope to use design and ecological education to empower the community to see the park’s possibilities and to steward and foster its ecological health.
What’s your favorite park memory?
My favorite park memories usually involve either strolling in a park with a friend, coffee in hand, or running/walking and listening to a podcast or music.
Favorite Atlanta park (and why)?
So, I must shout out a park that is technically outside of the city but is one that I most frequently visit and is nearest to where I live. I absolutely love Mason Mill Park in DeKalb because of the beautiful, wooded setting and multi-use boardwalk, and it always fills me with delight to see how used the park is by the community. Between the tennis center, trails, and recreation spaces, there is always something going on and its location around several senior residences and neighborhoods guarantees a nice mix of community members.
However, inside of the city, I also love Oakland Cemetery! It’s such a beautiful spot to take a walk and enjoy the peaks of the city skyline, and their programming is always engaging and memorable.
Darshan Singh, Community Services Intern
Darshan is pursuing a degree in Computer Science and has worked with various nonprofits. His passion lies in connecting people with nature through education and advocacy. He enjoys hiking, reading, and volunteering whenever possible.
Continue reading to get to know Darshan in his own words!
What does the “power of parks” mean to you?
To me, the “power of parks” embodies their ability to foster community cohesion and to serve as spaces for environmental education and general enjoyment.
Why are parks an important part of the community?
Parks are crucial because they fill the role of the third place in communities where people can socialize and unwind. They enhance mental and physical well-being, promote biodiversity, and contribute to the overall quality of life in neighborhoods.
What are you most excited about regarding your new role?
I’m most excited about the opportunity to help assist other parks by collaborating with local park officials and community members to build more sustainable parks and greenspaces.
How do you hope to empower communities to engage and make a difference in their neighborhood parks?
I hope to empower communities by working in volunteer programs and encouraging inclusive participation in park planning and maintenance. By fostering a sense of ownership, we can inspire residents to take pride in and actively care for their neighborhood parks.
What’s your favorite park memory?
One of my favorite park memories is attending a community picnic where families enjoyed games and music. It was nice to see people of all ages come together in such a beautiful setting.
Favorite Atlanta park (and why)?
Centennial Park holds a special place in my heart, as I have made quite a few memories with friends in that park in the past.