FPC Boston Marathon runner Craig Kiest part of west coast Remembrance Run

2013 Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Runner Craig Kiest was was part of Remembrance Run in his native Portland, OR last week. After an overwhelming greeting by family and friends when he stepped off the plane, he gathered with over 1000 local runners to pay tribute to last Monday's tragic events.

Craig Kiest said he remembers fellow runners who dropped everything to pray.“You definitely think you missed a bullet,” he said. “I’m not going to let it stop me.” Kiest is considering rejoining the team for the 2014 Boston Marathon.

To view the article and watch the news footage, please visit: /www.kgw.com/news/local/Thousands-cross-Willamette-for-Boston-Remembrance-Run-203630051.html

Welcome to the Team, fellow Olmsted Fan!

On December 5, 2008 Craig Kiest at the age of 53 ran his first mile since PE class in high school. As of December 28, 2012, Craig has run 44 marathons in 34 states and 6 continents.

As a native Oregonian with three grown children and a 30 year career as a landscape architect, running has become a rewarding avocation. With interests in gardens and architecture, running a marathon gives a unique opportunity to see the world without traffic - from Big Sur to the bridges of New York City.

Between running marathons there is time for family, hiking, biking, snowboarding and a glass of wine.

Editorial Note: We think The Screaming Pumpkin Marathon. is one of the coolest marathons Craig has completed so far!

National Recognition for the Efforts of the Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Charity Team

In the most recent edition of Field Notes, the newsletter of the National Association of Olmsted Parks, the Franklin Park Coalition's Boston Marathon Charity team was a featured article. The NAOP is a nationwide association of Olmsted related parks and organizations from around the United States consisting of professionals ranging from landscape architects to scholars to rangers to students. It is a true honor to be included in this publication that reaches out to thousands across the country.

"For more than 30 years, NAOP has raised awareness of the importance of the Olmsted legacy among public officials, community leaders, landscape design professionals and academics. NAOP encourages scholarship, publishes key reference materials, supports local park restoration, and provides technical assistance to preservation efforts." Here in the Boston area, organizations like the Franklin Park Coalition, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, and the National Park Service help to extend a similar mission and vision for Olmsted designed parks.

To check out the November Field Notes or to learn more about the phenomenal work of the NAOP, please visit http://www.olmsted.org/naop-field-notes-november-2011.