The Urban Resources Initiative (URI) is hiring one Yale student intern to lead an analysis of New Haven’s Park system this summer. They are partnering with the Trust for Public Land, the U.S. Forest Service and local community Greenspace groups to conduct a customized ParkScore analysis for New Haven, CT.
This data-driven analysis will provide a basis for URI and City leaders to prioritize equitable investment in parks on the neighborhood-level based on the benefits that matter to New Haven residents.
The ParkScore Index is an evaluation tool developed by TPL to compare urban park systems. New Haven will be analyzed based on four characteristics of an effective park system: acreage, investment, amenities, and access. The analysis includes monitoring acreage, entryways, investment (including volunteer time), and amenities like basketball hoops, dog parks, playgrounds, bathrooms, recreation centers, and splashpads. TheNew Haven ParkScore will be customized so that in addition to being compared at the city level, we will be able tolook at the neighborhood level.
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) estimates 96% of New Haven residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. While that demonstrates positive access to parks, we do not have clear data on the variable condition of parkresources across the city. This ParkScore project will help us to pinpoint the neighborhoods where park investments are needed most.
ParkScore Intern ($18/hour)
This position is ideal for a student interested in community forestry, urban natural areas management and environmental justice. We seek a candidate with strong communication skills and data organizational skills. Candidacy is strengthened further by experience in community- based organizing, GIS, as well as in survey development, implementation, and evaluation. Job duties for this position include:
1. Learning the workings of TPL’s ParkScore Index and how it evaluates park access and quality acrossthe US.
2. Working with URI’s Greenspace team and volunteers and local stakeholders to develop enhanced,customized ParkScore survey questions.
3. Supporting Greenspace volunteers to conduct the survey.
4. Conducting the survey in parks and greenspaces without volunteer leadership.
5. Gathering budget data of park investment from the City of New Haven.
6. Analyzing the survey data at the city-level and neighborhood-level.
7. Working with the U.S. Forest Service and TPL to create maps that would display the results (usingGIS).
Initial success will empower our community to have data and analysis of their park system, whereas long-term impact will be to address any disparities found among neighborhood greenspaces in New Haven.
This internship is a great opportunity to explore New Haven’s park system, work with New Haven residents, and impact the city in a positive way. A summer-long full-time commitment is required, with the opportunity to expand into the fall semester possible. To learn more about URI, visit uri.yale.edu.
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Anna Pickett by April 20 at anna.pickett@yale.edu.
Questions? Call 203-432-6189