Interning with Gotham Park: Mekayla Bailey ‘26

Students huddling together with Dr. Rubbo to ID plants.

Mekayla Bailey (right) with Gotham Park volunteers.

 

By Mekayla Bailey

I began my summer internship in late May, walking in with a set of expectations that, in hindsight, were a little funny. For some reason, I pictured something more structured—something more “office-like.” I imagined schedules, maybe formal dress codes, with some office work to do, but that’s as far as my expectations really went.

The reality was exactly the opposite—and exactly what I needed. When I first spoke to the Gotham Park team during the interview process, they made it clear that this was not a suit-and-tie kind of role. There was a general schedule, but the work wasn’t about keeping up appearances in an office. It was about something much more hands-on: keeping Gotham Park clean and safe, managing high school interns, and doing some behind-the-scenes office work.

Gotham Park’s mission is to reopen, revitalize, and reactivate the forgotten spaces under the Manhattan side of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge—working closely with community partners and New York City agencies to transform them into spaces people love. From the moment I started, I could feel that purpose. My supervisor was upfront and honest about what the job would entail, and everything they said turned out to be exactly true. From day one, we were out there maintaining and improving the park and it wasn’t always easy. Sometimes we were dealing with some pretty gross stuff (ie. trash, bugs). And sometimes the days were just very long, especially in the heat of the summer.

As summer went on, I found myself developing something I hadn’t experienced before—a genuine flow while working. I’d sweep a path, look back at the clean space I’d just cleared, and feel proud of the visible progress. It might sound simple, but it felt deeply satisfying. Over time, that pride grew into something more meaningful. The park wasn’t just a workspace—it became a space I cared about. I began to notice families using the tables, friends chatting on benches, and community members thanking us for our work. It wasn’t just about cleanliness; it was about creating an environment where people wanted to be.

One day, a community member thanked my supervisor for cleaning under one of the bridge pathways—a spot that had been neglected for years. Hearing that shifted my perspective completely. We weren’t just maintaining a park for appearance’s sake—we were changing the way people interacted with their environment. Because we consistently cared for the space, the community started caring for it, too. It wasn’t “us versus them.” It was everyone working together, even in small ways, to keep the park beautiful.

By July, when the high school interns joined us, I had a better sense of what the work really meant. Guiding them gave me a new kind of responsibility. At first, they weren’t sure what to expect, but over time, I watched them develop the same sense of ownership I had. There’s something powerful about seeing the direct results of your effort—it connects you to the space and to the people around you.

When I first started, I thought the biggest lessons would come from the work itself—the daily tasks of cleaning, managing, and maintaining the park. But I quickly realized that some of the most valuable lessons came from the people around me. Working in a community space is never just about the physical work—it’s about relationships, teamwork, and communication.

One of the first things I noticed was how different it felt to co-host community events alongside coworkers and partner organizations. These gatherings weren’t simple—they brought together different voices and expectations. Coordinating them required patience, adaptability, and the ability to listen. I learned to step back from my own perspective and focus on the bigger picture.

Of course, not everything always went smoothly. The long, hot days sometimes left me drained, and I’d catch myself getting frustrated more easily. I began to recognize when my reactions were coming from exhaustion rather than others’ behavior, and I learned to communicate more clearly instead of letting irritation build up. That self-awareness became one of my biggest areas of growth.

Another major lesson came from learning to handle conflict. Early on, I thought avoiding disagreements would keep the peace—but it only created quiet tension. After talking with my supervisor, I realized how important it is to address issues calmly and directly before they grow.

Through this, I learned that clear communication is just as essential as hard work. I began practicing how to pause before reacting, explain what I needed, and use language that built understanding instead of shutting people down.  This is something that I honestly still struggle with but it also made it clear to me that this is an ongoing skill that will take a while to master, and that’s okay. Watching how my supervisor and other adults on the team handled conflict also gave me a behind-the-scenes look at workplace culture. It’s one thing to learn about communication strategies in theory—but another to see them in action.

Looking back, I see that this internship has been just as much about personal growth as it has been about professional experience. I’ve learned how to manage myself in stressful moments, how to listen even when it’s uncomfortable, and how to take responsibility for how my mood affects the group. I’ve also seen that when issues are handled with honesty and respect, the whole environment improves.

One of the things that stands out the most from this summer is how deeply people skills shape every part of the experience. Whether it was engaging with the community or collaborating with my team, I saw firsthand that communication, patience, and problem-solving make all the difference. Watching people work through challenges, find solutions, and maintain trust reminded me that leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about connection. That leadership doesn’t just come from one person but from a collaborative effort of working together for a common goal.

As the summer continued, I also started noticing another layer of impact—one I hadn’t expected at first. Because the park is located near a high school, students walk through the plaza every morning on their way to class. For weeks, they would see me watering plants, sweeping, or picking up garbage. Some would glance over curiously; others would ask questions about what I was doing and what my internship involved. I didn’t think much of it at first, but after one particular moment, I began to see how my presence might mean more than I realized.

One day, while breaking down a wooden skateboard ramp with a hammer alongside my younger interns—both of whom were male—a group of police officers walked by. One of them commented that the boys should be doing the work instead of me. I remember thinking how wrong that assumption was, especially since neither of the boys knew how to handle the task yet or felt comfortable doing it. It made me realize how often people associate outdoor or physical work with men, and how even small moments like that reinforce gender expectations.

That comment stuck with me all summer. I began thinking about the young people who saw me working every day—especially the girls walking through the park on their way to school. Maybe they noticed that someone who looked like them was out there, confidently doing work that others might say isn’t “for women.” Maybe it shifted how they saw what was possible for themselves. The thought that I could have that kind of effect, even unintentionally, makes me feel proud and grateful.

It’s a reminder that the impact of this internship goes far beyond the park itself. It’s not just about keeping a space clean or hosting community events—it’s about being an example. We are all examples to the youth of what they can and cannot do. And I’m happy that I was able to be an example that dominance, leadership, and hammers aren’t traits/things that belong to any one gender. Knowing that my work might inspire young people, especially girls, to see opportunity where they once saw limits, is one of the most meaningful takeaways I could ask for.

In the end, this internship has been a lesson in both work and humanity. I’ve learned that change doesn’t always come from grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s the quiet, steady effort—the daily sweeping, the honest conversations, the consistent teamwork—that truly transforms a space and the people within it. I came in expecting just an internship, but I leave with a deeper understanding of how care, consistency, and communication can create not only better parks, but a better community. While also setting a new standard on prior stereotypes that have reigned for far too long, I’m happy to break those down naturally with my chosen internship.

Mekayla J. Bailey '26

Mekayla J. Bailey '26

Environmental Studies, Psychology minor

Mekayla Bailey is a Pace University student pursuing a BA in Environmental Studies because of her love of not only the environment but also for community. Her concern for each has fostered a curiosity to learn more about how the environment and community relate to one another. When she’s not trying to save the world, Mekayla loves running and taking hot yoga/Pilates classes. 

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