Danny DiMarino

"The Certificate program is a meaningful investment in your career. It will give you the opportunity to reflect on your work in order to meet your career goals and achieve milestones at your park."

Senior Manager, Volunteer & Visitor Engagement, Friends of Governors Island, New York City

What drew you to the field of urban park management? What is the most gratifying aspect of your job?

Parks are essential to the health and well-being of communities. Public space gives room for people to socialize, relax, exercise, and learn. Working in urban park management allows me to connect with people from every slice of life. I love that my work has an impact on the everyday lives of people in my community!

Why did you choose the Essentials of Urban Park Management Certificate, offered by the Central Park Conservancy and the CUNY School of Professional Studies? 

The Essentials of Urban Park Management Certificate connected me with park professionals from all over the world. As someone new to the field, I was eager to learn from others. It was incredibly helpful to realize that issues at my park are not unique and that there is a network of other park professionals eager to share their expertise. Through collaborative learning, we can all serve our communities better.

What is the most significant impact you will have on your park as a result of applying what you have gained from this program? 

I was able to bring many components of the program to action at my park. For example, the program challenged me to find opportunities to grow the volunteer program on Governors Island. This year, we will bring a Naturalist Volunteer role to my park, organizing volunteers to conduct insect surveys. This idea began while I was earning my Certificate!

Tell us about your experience with completing the Certificate program as a fully online experience. 

The online learning components were well organized. I enjoyed that I could complete sections over the course of the week, returning as time allowed.

How did you balance participating in the Certificate program with the priorities of your career and personal life? 

I found it easy to manage the Certificate program with my work priorities. The structure of the program is self-paced, and because many of the sections directly related to my work goals, there was considerable overlap.

What was your favorite unit in the program? Why? 

I enjoyed the module about planning events in parks, as I'm eager to continue bringing people together in parks for festivals and other gatherings. It was so fun to read how other parks engage large groups for events!

What advice would you offer someone who is considering applying for the Certificate? 

The Certificate program is a meaningful investment in your career. It will give you the opportunity to reflect on your work in order to meet your career goals and achieve milestones at your park.