Mike Toomey continues his support of Franklin Park with a 2014 Boston Marathon run

Mike Toomey has been the volunteer coach for the Franklin Park Coalition team over the past few seasons and has decided to take his turn at running the 2014 Boston Marathon. He is USATF Level 2 Coach with extensive running experience, both personally and professionally.  He has been coaching since 1998 and have coached at the collegiate and high school levels and has been granted the NEC coach of the year award 8 times through his work at Marblehead High. Mike is 1995 graduate of UMass, an All-American in Cross-Country, and was on the 1991 NCAA National Championship Cross-Country Team... After college, Mike ran for Boston based Reebok racing team for 6 years. He has fond memories of running in Franklin Park over his career and looks forward to giving back even more. To support Coach Toomey’s fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Toomey-Runs-For-Franklin-Park

Richard Tabbut: Meet the Hammer on the FPC Boston Marathon team

Rich "the hammer" Tabbut is returning to the Boston for the final marathon of a long and rewarding personal journey with running that spans over 40 years. Franklin Park is the hub of NE Cross Country Running and it holds a special place in his heart. Rich, "the Hammer” Tabbut decided to run the 2013 Boston Marathon, representing the Wicked Running Club of Salem and in honor of his mother as his first marathon since 1996. Due to the tragic events of April 15, he was stopped about ½ a mile from the finish. Rich has decided to return to run the Boston Marathon in 2014, not just to recapture the happy times with his runner friends or for a marathon “swan song,” but also to thank Boston for all the wonderful things that were done for all of us there on that fateful day and afterwards. To support Hammer’s fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Fpcmarathoncharityteamrichard2014

FPC Youth Crew Sign-Up

First, thank you runners who turned out and invited lots of friends and family to the Bella Luna Kick-off Party last night! I came home with barely a voice left after talking to so many people. We'll report later on how much money was raised. Seemed like everyone had a great time!  --Christine

And thinking about our youth crew ...

As February 1st, the beginning of registration for 2014 jobs for young people in Boston, we gear up for job fairs and recruitment. I have a letter drafted that will go to all our young people who are still eligible to participate (up to age 18 this year) to invite them back, remind them to register, and encourage them to contact us if they want to try something different this summer.

Angee, a junior at Boston Tech Academy, who moved to the U.S. from Haiti three years ago, post earthquake, stopped in earlier this week for help with a science scholarship application. She said she hadn't been that interested in science until working in the park and learning more about plant biology, but she'd like to work in a lab this summer. So - I'm off researching lab opportunities for BPS students. Anyone know of any? She helps support her family, so does need to earn money.

On the subway last week I ran into Fernando, from our youth crew five and six years ago! We chatted and exchanged current phone numbers. He is living on his own in a studio apartment in Dorchester, working full-time as a receptionist at Children's Hospital and going to school full-time at U/Mass Boston. I could tell he is struggling a little, much too busy, and probably a little isolated. His best friend, Luis, also on the FPC youth crew, has a son and is working as a security guard at another local hospital. They see each other occasionally on weekends. It was hard to hear how overwhelming Fernando feels with the responsibilities he is managing on his own, but he is clearly going to make it.

Fernando is the goofy one in a black do-rag.

She runs this park, she bikes this park...now she's raising money for this park. Meet Laura

Laura Smeaton is a resident of the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston.  She works at Harvard School of Public Health as a biostatistician for medical research in infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis, with a focus on women's health.  She is also a League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor and teaches bicycle safety through the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition.  Laura enjoys Franklin Park during all four seasons -- biking, running, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.  She is thrilled to be a part of the 2014 FPC Boston Marathon team! To support Laura’s fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Fpcmarathoncharityteamlaura2014

Meet Mr. Hollywood: welcome to the team Tom!

Thomas Silcott is a native of Boston. He grew up about a 10 minute walk away from Franklin Park. He's spent his summers there as a kid in day camp, many a bike ride through the park, visits to the zoo and many a Kite and Caribbean Festival through the years. Now, he lives with his family in Los Angeles enjoying life as an actor/musician. Tom has run the Los Angeles Marathon but is honored for the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon representing Franklin Park. To support Thomas’ fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Silky-Runs-For-Franklin-Park

Meet Jeanette: ultra runner and ultra teammate

Jeanette Robinson has lived in Jamaica Plain for three years.  She is an attorney with an active practice in Newton.  After moving to JP from the North End, her love of running blossomed. With Franklin Park practically in her back yard, it became a frequent running destination. Running the Boston Marathon has been a goal of Jeanette’s since she crossed the finish line at her first half marathon. Jeanette looks forward to giving back to her community by running the Boston Marathon for the Franklin Park Coalition. To support Jeanette’s fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Boston-2014-Running-For-Franklin-Park-Coalition

Meet Derly: she's just plain Goofy!

Derly Ortiz has made Boston her home for over 25 years after emigrating from the Dominican Republic.  She enjoyed volunteering last year at the Boston Marathon and has always dreamed of being able to run in the iconic event. Derly found her passion in running more than 5 years ago.  She has completed numerous half marathons and with three marathons completed, is still counting! She just upped the running ante in Disney by running the 2014 Goofy challenge.

Derly is ecstatic to be running with the Franklin Park Coalition and is looking forward to raising funds for a cause very close to her community as well her family. To support Derly’s fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Derly-Runs-Boston-For-Franklin-Park-Coalition

RunDisney weekend for FPC runners.

Good luck to our team runners who are trekking to Florida for the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. While Julie and Jared are kicking off their Boston Marathon training with the half marathon on Saturday, Derly will be taking on the Goofy Challenge. On Sunday, she'll run 13.1 miles, followed up by a full marathon on Sunday. 

Have runs and an enjoy the sun, runners!

Politics & Parks

The city mayoral transition just keeps giving us opportunities to speak up for Franklin Park. Last night the Environment, Energy & Open Space Forum brought out lots of FPC members - despite the 2 degree temps!

What does FPC want from the new Mayor? The request has been to categorize ideas in this format "Keep, Implement, Dream." Together with the 130-group network, Boston Park Advocates, that FPC leads, here are a few of the big and small things we seek:

• A national search for a visionary parks commissioner. The current commissioner, Toni Pollak, is resigning at the end of February.
• "Best practices" maintenance - like park trucks not driving on the landscape and creating huge, muddy ruts in the grass.
• A Franklin Park manager - one park professional/superintendent to oversee all operations in our park, and a management plan for everyday maintenance, seasonal planning and capital improvements.
• Sustainability for Playhouse in the Park concerts.
• Renovations of the Franklin Park Clubhouse to create a destination restaurant and community gathering place.

Are you a regular Franklin Park user? (I know some of you are!) - send me your ideas for Keep, Implement and Dream - I'll submit them with our package to the Transition Team. Don't worry about how you write them, just create a list.

--Christine

Meet Margret: youth educator, runner, Bradley Cooper's future wife (she'll be donating extra for this public shoutout!)

Margaret Newell is very excited to join the Franklin Park Coalition Team this again year. She is honored to help support their efforts to provide families, especially youth, a safe place to run, walk, participate in activities, or just be together. A resident of Peabody, Margaret has been running off and on since high school and completed 14 half marathons, 5 sprint triathlons and the 2010, 2011 & 2013 Boston Marathons. She is excited to run Boston in 2014, and is really looking forward to crossing that finish line!  Margaret loves working at Everett High School as a guidance counselor and strives to set a good example for her students. In addition to running, Margaret likes to spend time with family and friends (particularly if there is a beach involved) and hanging out with her 7 year old Portuguese Water Dog, Buoy. She is also waiting for the day she finally meets her boyfriend, Bradley Cooper, who was a major motivating factor for a few of the FPC team members last year.  To support Margaret’s fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Fpcmarathoncharityteammargaret2014

Meet Kevin: ready to rock year two with the Franklin Park Coalition

Kevin Meehan's motto this year is to make it across that finish line no matter what out of respect for those involved in the 2013 Boston Marathon tragedy. Kevin was stuck right at the bottle neck after Kenmore Square during the horrible events last year--so close yet so far away. 

This will be Kevin's fifth marathon and he's choosing the Franklin Park Coalition again this year to raise funds for because it is an amazing space for active people and for the youth of the area to enjoy and find summer work. He can't wait to work together with the great people on the FPC Team. Bring on the fun and the hills. 

The FPC Boston Marathon team has some comic relief...meet another 50 in 50 guy...meet Quang

Quang Le used to suffer extreme pain when he tried running more than a few miles--that was nine years ago. After surgery to take care of a congenital problem, he has been busy making up for all of those years of not running by participating in ultramarathons and triathlons. Quang is part of a group that is attempting to run 50 marathons in the 50 states and the 2014 Boston Marathon will check not only Massachusetts from his list, but will be a great way to celebrate the halfway point to reaching that goal. He is especially excited to run for the Franklin Park Coalition with a group that is dedicated to the mission of the park. With any free time leftover, you can find Quang enjoyed the great outdoors on the Boston Harbor Islands, camping and kayaking. To support Quang’s fundraising goals, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Q-Runs-For-Franklin-Park

Happy 2014 from the Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon team!

Out with the old and in with the new...

The Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon team is excited for a fresh start with a New Year. 2013 brought more than it's share of challenges to the runners who represented us on April 15. Many of our runners are still grappling with the images, sounds, and thoughts related to April 15.

Our new team is built and ready to face the challenges that will help Franklin Park be a great neighbor, community advocate, and peaceful respite for all who enter. 

We wish you a year of peace and happiness and thank you for your support.