Sign up for the Franklin Park Mile today! Community Running for all!

From the Forest Hills Runners Website:

The goal of the Franklin Park Mile is bigger than you can imagine.  The aim is to transform the world, changing the essence of how people experience their lives.  The world today is a global one; it is a multiracial, multiethnic, multilinguistic, multigender mosaic with more connectivity than anyone ever imagined possible.  And though community is sometimes forgotten with the possibility of faraway connections, it is essential for everyone.  A strong community can produce wellness in a way that almost nothing else can and yet many people are becoming less and less connected to those around them.  Community running supports the natural development of communities that revolve around common activities, which creates a population that is both empowered and capable of empowering those they interact with.

Though Boston has many diverse communities within its boundaries, Boston is a unique community in and of itself – one that is exceptionally diverse and yet segregated and separated, not able to take advantage of all it has to offer.  To truly empower Boston and bring out its strengths, the Boston community must find common ground – something simple and unifying.  The Boston Marathon bombing brought Bostonians together in a way few have experienced, but that unification was short-lived because it occurred due to a single event people hope will never again occur.  The Franklin Park Mile, on the other hand, will bring people together from both the running community and from the diverse neighborhoods surrounding Franklin Park.  By bringing people together though an activity that is positive and that supports the development of free community running groups, the Franklin Park Mile will ideally help to spark the further development of Boston community and unification just as FHR believes Community Running for All will be able to do nationwide.

To register for this great community run, please visit: https://www.racemenu.com/events/33391-The-Franklin-Park-Mile

The Franklin Park Mile, Presented by the Forest Hills Runners

From the Forest Hills Runners Website:

The goal of the Franklin Park Mile is bigger than you can imagine.  The aim is to transform the world, changing the essence of how people experience their lives.  The world today is a global one; it is a multiracial, multiethnic, multilinguistic, multigender mosaic with more connectivity than anyone ever imagined possible.  And though community is sometimes forgotten with the possibility of faraway connections, it is essential for everyone.  A strong community can produce wellness in a way that almost nothing else can and yet many people are becoming less and less connected to those around them.  Community running supports the natural development of communities that revolve around common activities, which creates a population that is both empowered and capable of empowering those they interact with.

Though Boston has many diverse communities within its boundaries, Boston is a unique community in and of itself – one that is exceptionally diverse and yet segregated and separated, not able to take advantage of all it has to offer.  To truly empower Boston and bring out its strengths, the Boston community must find common ground – something simple and unifying.  The Boston Marathon bombing brought Bostonians together in a way few have experienced, but that unification was short-lived because it occurred due to a single event people hope will never again occur.  The Franklin Park Mile, on the other hand, will bring people together from both the running community and from the diverse neighborhoods surrounding Franklin Park.  By bringing people together though an activity that is positive and that supports the development of free community running groups, the Franklin Park Mile will ideally help to spark the further development of Boston community and unification just as FHR believes Community Running for All will be able to do nationwide.

To register for this great community run, please visit: https://www.racemenu.com/events/33391-The-Franklin-Park-Mile

Emerald Necklace Fun Run with Playworks; Pounding the Pavement in Florida; Ocean Breezes

Our runners have been busy the past couple of weeks as training for the 2013 Boston Marathon has kicked off. Coach Toomey has some members running circles at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury on Tuesday nights, but the real fun has been in the long run...or what seems like a long run at this point!

Julie and Goofy pal Andrew cooling down after 39.3 miles .

On January 12-13, Marathon Charity Team Leader Julie Arrison participated in the Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge in Orlando, FL. "There is nothing like 39.3 miles of running to kick off marathon training," is what she says, followed by a "never again." While the run was well supported and blast, it was also hovered between 80-85 degrees for much of the runs. Needless to say there were some 2012 Boston Marathon flashbacks!



True to her 2012 form, Shari will continue to entertain us with her stories and fun from her runs. Shari followed Route 127 on the North Shore from Beverly to Manchester-By-The-Sea...which makes for a lovely summer run, but a challenge in the winter months! Reports of head wind on the loop back along with a nasty uphill added to the challenge, but we're sure a post-run red wine warmed Shari up quick!

Franklin hanging out in Tampa Bay.

Team member Michelle Collier has been away on business in Tampa, but that hasn't stopped her from taking in 13.5 miles with sightings of loons flying, and fish, ducks, and even a dolphin in the Bay. Plus, our NH runner just thought that running in shorts in January was a perk! Plus, she found some shoutouts to our fair city along the way.

"I went a long way to find a taste of Boston."

The highlight of the week was the our first joint run with the Playworks team. In order to consolidate resources and bring groups of charity runners together, great minds collided and great runners practiced for around 12 miles on the Emerald Necklace. The plan was to start in Franklin Park, travel along the Arborway, loop around Jamaica Pond, and head back...but one knows what they say about best laid plans! Team leaders Julie and Jon tried to keep up with the loops and wrong turns of our teams and eventually everyone got their needed miles and needed hydration along the way...plus they were treated to some great sites along the EN!

Babbling Winter Brook in Franklin Park...while waiting...waiting...waiting for lost runners!

Teammates flying around Jamaica Pond

Almost done...through the Forest Hills Underpass

Fanciest water stop on the Emerald Necklace this weekend!

Next week, the team tackles the North Shore, some increased mileage, and continued fun in preparing for the Boston Marathon!

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

This week’s long run was supposed to be a custom designed ramble by Owen through the Emerald Necklace for the Franklin Park Coalition Team. Even though we had about four feet of snow on the ground last winter at this time, we panicked about the 5” expected and called off the group run. Luckily, we found some great ways to enjoy the snow—or in Kristen’s case—get the miles in on Friday and avoid the slippery roads all together!

Jason G. described the snow running best when he said that he did fifteen miles through snowy streets with the “consistency of mashed potatoes.” Laura did her Brookline-Newton route with the Dreamfar team and ran into some urban turkeys on her jaunt home—always a shocking sight to see turkeys wandering around the city—and even more shocking when they are hopping around in the snow!

Carleen took advantage of a run to her son’s basketball game—which she had missed out on the past couple of weeks while doing long runs and got the other 10 in on Sunday through Dedham, Hyde Park, and Milton. Paula and Julie stayed north, making snow angels along the way. The streets were a mess on Saturday and some time in Lynn Woods, on snowshoes, was the perfect solution. It was no Franklin Park—but what is?

Finally, Nichole took a field trip to New Hampshire for the annual Derry Boston Prep. It’s notorious for sixteen miles of hills, hills, when you think you are done, more hills.

So, while it wasn’t all “gravy” out there training this week, it certainly was fun!

Laura's Beacon Street running buddy.

Julie taking a rest during a Lynn Woods Reservation snowshoe hike.

Paula taking a rest on the streets of the North Shore...exact location unknown.

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.

A Few Spots Remain on the Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Charity Team

Just a couple of spots remain on the Franklin Park Coalition's Boston Marathon Charity Team. We have accepted runners with a wide range of running abilities and interests in parks and recreation and would love to have YOU join our team!

We are accepting runners that are looking to secure an entry and runners who have already secured their entry elsewhere but would like to fundraise to support the mission and vision of the Franklin Park Coalition.

Money raised by Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Team will be used for salaries of four Summer Youth Conservation Crew members; equipment to be used by the Summer Youth Conservation Crew; the purchase of athletic equipment to be used on Summer Youth Drop-In Sports Nights, as well as continued restoration of the cross-country track, used by thousands of regional high school and collegiate athletes on an annual basis; ; refurbishment of ball fields; and repairs to the Playstead basketball courts including resurfacing or new hoops and backboards.

For more information about how you can get involved with Franklin Park Coalition and the 2012 Marathon Team, please contact Julie Arrison, Julie@franklinparkcoalition.org.

Benefits of being a member of the Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Team:

· Guaranteed race number for the 2012 Boston Marathon on April 16, 2012

· Work with a team of runners who are committed to the mission of the Franklin Park Coalition and training for the Marathon.

·  Receive a handbook with coaching support from Michael Toomey of Toomey Sports Running Center and fundraising support from the Franklin Park Coalition. Online fundraising access will be provided.

· Team training runs

· Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Team clothing for training and race day.

· A kickoff team party at Doyle’s Café in Jamaica Plain, and a pre-race pasta luncheon.

· Frequent support from Franklin Park Coalition coaches and other team members on training and fundraising concerns at our Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Charity Team blog.

Responsibilities of being a member of the Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Team:

· Raise a minimum of $4000 to support Franklin Park Coalition Children’s Services ($750 for those who have already secured their entry elsewhere)

· Be physically able to complete the Marathon in under 6 hours

· If you are local to Boston, attend Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Charity Team meetings between December 2011 and April 2012.  

· $300 B.A.A. race entry fee that does not count towards your fundraising total.

In Kind Donations Now Being Accepted

The Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Charity Team is now accepting in-kind donations of goods and services from local businesses for use at the Team Kickoff Party at Doyle's Cafe on January 11, individual team member fundraisers, runner incentives, and online auction items. Goods and services can range from rounds of golf to shop and restaurant gift certificates to hotel or vacation home stays.

If you have something to donate or a contact that might be able to help the team with a donation, please contact the Marathon Charity Team Leader, Julie Arrison at julie@franklinparkcoalition.org.

Thank You to our Charity Team Applicants

The Franklin Park Coalition staff is in the process of reviewing the fantastic applications we have received over the past two months and will be in touch with runners soon about acceptance to the Franklin Park Coalition's Boston Marathon Charity Team.

We will continue reviewing applications, so feel free to submit one today! Running for the FPC will benefit thousands of area youth through educational, job, and athletic opportunities in Boston's largest green space.

Please contact the Marathon Charity Team Leader, Julie Arrison, at julie@franklinparkcoaltion.org.

Run the 2012 Boston Marathon® with Franklin Park Coalition

The Franklin Park Coalition is proud to announce that it has been selected to be part of the official 2012 B.A.A. Boston Marathon Charity Program. Applications are now available for interested runners at FranklinParkCoalition.org.

The Franklin Park Coalition mission is simple: to restore and preserve Franklin Park, a 527 historic urban green space located in the geographic heart of Boston. Through advocacy and stewardship, Coalition staff, board members and volunteers work to improve park management, public transit options to the park, park entrances, bicycle access, restoration of historic features, and more. Coalition events and programs, such as park walks, history tours, and nature programs to encourage city dwellers to discover the park's treasures; bringing back the “Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park” for free summer concerts to build community and celebrate local artists; hiring neighborhood youth for summer and school year jobs restoring the 220 acre woodlands and promoting the park; and working with community members and public safety agencies to help people feel safe in the park.

Running and Franklin Park have a long history together. According to Steve Vaitones, a member of the Coalition, the New England Collegiate Cross Country Championships have been held in the park since 1912. The current cross country course was designed and built 1989-1991 after the awarding of the cross country World Championships.  USA National Championships have been held in the park throughout the twentieth century as well. The park continues to be the home for the many local high school and college program practices and various local and state meets. Most recently, the B.A.A. Half Marathon has its start and finish in Franklin Park at the George Robert White Stadium. This event will take place on October 9, 2011 and information is available at www.baa.org.

Money raised by the fifteen selected charity runners of the Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Team will be used for salaries of four Summer Youth Conservation Crew members; equipment to be used by the Summer Youth Conservation Crew; the purchase of athletic equipment to be used on Summer Youth Drop-In Sports Nights, as well as continued restoration of the cross-country track, used by thousands of regional high school and collegiate athletes on an annual basis; ; refurbishment of ball fields; and repairs to the Playstead basketball courts including resurfacing or new hoops and backboards.

Julie Arrison, a longtime volunteer for the Franklin Park Coalition and author of Images of America: Franklin Park has been selected as the Marathon Charity Team Coordinator. “I couldn’t be happier to lead a group of marathoners towards two major goals—completing the Boston Marathon and awareness building for an organization that serves Boston so well.” Michael Toomey of Toomey Sports Running Center in Salem, Mass., has signed on to coach the runners for the team. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with a group of athletes as they strive to complete one of the most elite marathons in the world. It’s going to be a fun, challenging time.”

For more information about how you can get involved with Franklin Park Coalition and the 2012 Marathon Team, please contact Julie Arrison, Julie@franklinparkcoalition.org.

Benefits of being a member of the Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Team:

·         Guaranteed race number for the 2012 Boston Marathon on April 16, 2012

·         Work with a team of runners who are committed to the mission of the Franklin Park Coalition and training for the Marathon.

·         Receive a handbook with coaching support from Michael Toomey of Toomey Sports Running Center and fundraising support from the Franklin Park Coalition. Online fundraising access will be provided.

·         Team training runs

·         A $75.00 allotment for Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Team clothing.

·         A kickoff team party at Doyle’s Café in Jamaica Plain, and a pre-race pasta luncheon.

·         Frequent support from Franklin Park Coalition coaches and other team members on training and fundraising concerns at our Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Charity Team blog.

Responsibilities of being a member of the Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Team:

·         Raise a minimum of $4000 to support Franklin Park Coalition Children’s Services ($750 for those who have already secured their entry elsewhere) 

·         Be physically able to complete the Marathon in under 6 hours

·         If you are local to Boston, attend Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Charity Team meetings between December 2011 and April 2012.  

·         $300 B.A.A. race entry fee that does not count towards your fundraising total.

Application for the Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Charity Team for the 2012 BAA Boston Marathon