Park Experience Research Internship

Center City District Summer Internship Program

Are you passionate about community development and urban revitalization? Center City District— Philadelphia’s first and largest business improvement district—invites ambitious students to join our Summer Internship Program.

This paid internship program will start on June 1 and run for eight weeks, four days per week on-site at the CCD’s office.

As an intern, candidates will work alongside industry professionals on high-impact projects that directly shape Center City and its future. Gain hands-on experience in specialized areas including horticulture, economic development, and communications while building a professional network with city leaders and community stakeholders.

This competitive program offers more than just resume-building experience—it provides a meaningful role in creating a clean, safe, and thriving Center City Philadelphia that benefits the entire region.

The Center City District is seeking a curious, people-oriented intern to support park research at Dilworth Park and Sister Cities Park. This position focuses on programmed activities and events, gathering data that will directly inform how CCD designs and delivers its public park programming. The intern will work closely with the Strategy and Design team, conducting fieldwork, synthesizing findings, and presenting actionable recommendations at the close of the project.

Responsibilities

• Develop intercept survey tools tailored to Dilworth and Sister Cities Parks
• Conduct in-person intercept interviews with park visitors during programmed events
• Document behavioral and environmental observations across park spaces
• Assess events and activations, evaluating programming quality and visitor experience
• Analyze findings and develop insights to inform future park operations and programming decisions
• Present a final summary of findings and recommendations to CCD staff

• Undergraduate or Graduate Student
• Background or coursework in urban planning, sociology, marketing, landscape architecture, or a related field
• Comfort conducting in-person interviews and interacting with the public in an outdoor setting
• Experience with or interest in qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to present findings clearly to a non-academic audience
• Interest in public space, placemaking, or urban civic life