Park Operations and Guest Experience Associate

About Gatton Park

Gatton Park on the Town Branch is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit and land-reuse project transforming a 10-acre asphalt parking lot adjacent to the Central Bank Center into a signature green space that will serve as Lexington’s version of Central Park. Gatton Park will host a number of amenities such as walking trails, an amphitheater, playground and splash pad, dog park, outdoor reading room, public art, among others. The park is under construction and anticipated to publicly open late Summer of 2025, with a projected 1,000,000 annual visitors. For more information, please visit gattonpark.org.

About Gatton Park Internships

The Gatton Park on the Town Branch internship program prepares candidates for careers in parks and outdoor recreation, nonprofit organizations, venue operations, and program/event driven businesses through hands-on experience in marketing, programming, event production, and visitor experience. Interns gain insight into park operations while contributing to real-world projects that impact their community.

Ideal candidates are students or recent graduates in marketing, communications, event management, hospitality, or related fields with strong communication, organization, and multitasking skills. Experience in event logistics, operations, or customer service is a plus. Interns should be adaptable, comfortable with public engagement, and passionate about community spaces.

At Gatton Park on the Town Branch, the guest experience is built on a foundation of warmth, attentiveness, and community connection, inspired by the highest standards of hospitality. Every visitor is welcomed with a smile and a friendly greeting, setting the tone for a memorable and enjoyable park experience. Staff and interns actively seek out guest interactions, offering assistance, answering questions, and creating moments of personal connection. If challenges arise, immediate service recovery ensures that concerns are addressed promptly, reinforcing a commitment to excellence. Body language remains open and inviting, fostering an environment where all guests feel valued and appreciated. Every aspect of the park—from well-maintained trails to engaging events—preserves the “magical” experience of exploration and discovery. As guests depart, they are sincerely thanked for their visit, leaving with not just great memories but a lasting sense of belonging.

As an integral part of Gatton Park, interns receive hands-on training in event and program management within a dynamic, professional environment. This program offers valuable resume-building experience and practical skills applicable to various career paths. If you're eager to learn and make an impact, apply today!

Position Details:

• Location: Gatton Park on the Town Branch, 795 Manchester St. Lexington, Kentucky 40507. Requires reliable transportation to and from Gatton Park.
• Internship Type: Part-time (10-20 hours/wk), paid (academic credit available). This is a paid internship and requires someone located in/near Lexington, KY for the duration of the season.
• Duration: Fall 2025 (Projected Dates: August 4–December 19) with flexible start and end dates.
• Schedule: Varies based on role. Availability for some evening and weekend events is required.
• Internship Positions (4): Programming, Events, Marketing & Communications, and Park Operations & Guest Experience.
• Ideal Candidates: Current students or recent graduates in the fields of parks and recreation, event management, marketing, communications, urban planning, design, hospitality, environmental studies, landscape architecture, customer service, or a related filed, are a plus.
• Requirements: Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. If selected, applicants must pass a criminal background check if 18+, attend an orientation, and be able to lift at least 25 pounds and stand for extended periods of time.
• Benefits: Hands-on experience in nonprofit operations, event planning, and hospitality; professional development in a fun, dynamic environment.

Title: Park Operations and Guest Experience Associate

Gatton Park on the Town Branch is seeking a curious and community-minded intern to support research, documentation, and engagement efforts as we open a new 10-acre public park in downtown Lexington. This internship will involve helping to assess the park’s economic and environmental impact, conducting visitor interviews and observations, and assisting with landscape and amenity documentation using digital tools. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, comfortable engaging with the public, and eager to contribute to a meaningful community project that blends sustainability, innovation, and inclusive design.

This internship is ideal for students or recent graduates in public policy, environmental studies, landscape architecture, urban planning, parks and recreation, or a related field.

Reports To: Ethan Howard, Director of Planning & Quality Management

Hours: 10-20 hours/week (flexible schedule agreed upon in advance)

Compensation: up to $1,000/month paid monthly

Effective Date: Monday, August 4, 2025

Duration: Fall 2025 semester. August 4 through December 20

Internship Tasks May Include:

Community Engagement & Visitor Experience

• Assist with research on the economic and social impact of the park.
• Conduct intercept interviews with park visitors to gather feedback and usage data.
• Perform observation counts to track visitor trends, park use, and program attendance.
• Greet visitors at the park and assist with way-finding and information.
• Assist with setup and breakdown of daily park programs.
• Assist with administrative support such as, but not limited to, the detailed aspects of recreation administration and operations, programming, events, front desk responsibilities as well as overall facility operations.

Landscape & Asset Documentation

• Help catalog trees, plantings, and other natural features using selected tracking software.
• Assist in documenting park amenities, such as seating, lighting, and signage.
• Support the development of maps or other visual materials to represent park features (GIS or mapping skills a plus, but not required).
• Assist in documenting the environmental footprint and benefits of the park (e.g., native plantings, solar features).
• Research smart park technologies and innovative sustainability practices.
• Support potential implementation of environmental or tech-forward pilot programs.

Additional tasks and responsibilities may be assigned as needed to support park operations and programming.

To Apply: Please email a resume or CV, cover letter, and list of 2 to 3 academic/professional references to Director of Programs & Engagement Erica Lynne Cook at erica@gattonpark.org with your desired position in the subject.

Applications are also accepted through Handshake (search Gatton Park on the Town Branch).

Applications and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis from April 21 through June 2, 2025. Finalist candidates will be invited to a concluding interview with their prospective supervisor(s) and the CEO of Gatton Park.