Meet Our Interns!
We are so pleased to announce our inaugural class of summer interns at Open Plans! These bright students join us from a variety of backgrounds and interests, but they all share a dedication to making city streets safer and more joyful for everyone. We’re so glad to be benefiting from their curiosity and energy this summer.
Each student will focus on one project and work closely with an Open Plans staff mentor. You can read more about each intern’s experience and education in their official bios (read those by clicking on their photo), but we wanted to get to know them a little more personally.
We asked each student - what’s your favorite neighborhood or public space in New York City? And what do you like to do in your free time?
Internship focus: Curbside chaos and the potential behind reforming curb design to prioritize a diversity of use
“My favorite public space in NYC has to be Fort Greene Park—the perfect place to lounge with a book and bask in summer sunshine. I feel lucky to live near such a vibrant green space with the most majestic trees!
Outside of my work and studies, I enjoy cooking, practicing yoga, reading, wandering, and spotting cats in windowsills.”
Internship focus: Collaborating with Corona and East Elmhurst residents on street safety and public space
“My favorite public space is the Open Street on 34th Avenue. I have always lived at what is now the end of the Open Street, at Junction Blvd and 34th Avenue. There's always a friendly face when I walk out. On one particular Sunday last year, I saw no less than 15 separate people I knew on my walk down the Open Street. No planning was involved, it was just a coincidence that all of us happened to be taking an evening stroll/jog at the same time! That's my favorite part of the Open Street — simply seeing the neighbors, families, kids, and students (everyone really!) just living their lives and enjoying themselves. I'm looking forward to a day when this already fantastic space will be a linear park, that generations to come can enjoy and make their own.
When I'm "off the clock", you can probably find me watering my many houseplants, practicing my Spanish, getting my brows done, or listening to Bachata and Afrobeats.”
Internship focus: How placard use and other City policies encourage driving
“My favorite neighborhood is Bushwick, Brooklyn — it was the first neighborhood I moved into in NYC and immediately felt welcomed by its small businesses, music, art and strong sense of community.
In my off time, I’m still enjoying habits I picked up during the pandemic — tending to my house plants and baking banana bread :)"
Internship focus: Exploring the current state of School Streets (Open Streets: Full Closure: Schools) and how to expand/improve the program
“My favorite public space in NYC is Alley Pond Park, which is the second largest public park in Queens but the largest public park in my heart.
In my free time, I run a South Asian contemporary theater ensemble, Fresh Lime Soda Productions. Also in my free time, I meticulously color code my Google calendar.”
We’ll be sharing more of their work throughout the summer, but for now, please join us in welcoming Walker, Henry, Marium and Sabina to the team!