Franklin Park Coalition Annual Meeting this Saturday at the Golf Clubhouse!

Celebrate 35 years of park advocacy! Come meet Chris Cook, the new interim Parks Commissioner and hear his agenda for Franklin Park. Light breakfast refreshments, raffle prizes and a children’s corner. Bring your new membership or renewal. Can’t be there; make your membership donation now. Email or call us at 617.442.4141 to RSVP!

Details

Date:

Saturday, Apr. 12

Time:

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cost:

FREE

Organizer

Franklin Park Coalition

Phone:

617-442-4141

Email:

volunteer@franklinparkcoalition.org

Website:

www.franklinparkcoalition.org

Support Jasmin's Final Fundraising Push!

Jasmin is running to support youth and athletic programming in Franklin Park and needs your support to get through the final fundraising push. Even a $10.00 donation to her fundraising page will bring her that much closer.

Jasmin is a first-time marathoner who has been pushing her physical and mental limits and excelling in this tough training season. She loves Franklin Park and the opportunities that abound for biking, running, recreation, and fun.

To support Jasmin's push before tomorrow's deadline, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Fpcmarathoncharityteamjasmin2014

Derly in the News!

Our very own Team FPC Derly Ortiz is quoted in the Jamaica Gazette this week.

http://jamaicaplaingazette.com/2014/03/28/jp-runners-prepare-for-boston-marathon/

Derly Ortiz has run several marathons before—though this will be her first time running the Boston Marathon—and is selling bracelets to help raise money for the Franklin Park Coalition. Last year, volunteered at mile 20.

“After the [bombing], it was very emotional and heartbreaking. I wanted [to] and was committed to run Boston this year. I want to be part of the historic event,” she told the Gazette.

She said that training has been “challenging.”

“I have been training on the famous Heartbreak Hill to get my body prepared to what’s to come. Those hills are tough,” she said. “My goal is to finish strong in this race and [I’m] determined to be my best.”

Fairy & Elf sightings in Franklin Park

We are teaming up with the Boston Parks Department during school vacation week for a fairy & elf house-building day! My elder son (now 22) built fairy houses with his friends for years through elementary school. It was his version of outdoor legos. Slate from an old roof makes great walls and soft rabbit ear leaves are wonderful bedding for fairies!

Parks Dept has a much cleverer tweeter than I do:

	Boston Parks Dept (@BostonParksDept)
4/1/14, 3:36 PM We're receiving info on winged creatures: #fairies&elves migrating to @FranklinParkBos Lets build them homes on 4/25 pic.twitter.com/5vM04VF85s

I hope all you runners and cheerers and supporters with kids (or who still feel like a kid) will join us on Friday, April 25th. It's AFTER the marathon and during school vacation week!

BostonParksDept Boston Parks Dept  5h

We're receiving info on winged creatures: #fairies&elves migrating to Franklin Park. Lets build them homes on 4/25 pic.twitter.com/5vM04VF85s

Getting Ready for the Big Day

Here's what we're reading at FPC this week to make sure we are the best cheering section along the marathon route:

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/article/2014/03/25/boston-marathon-2014-spectators-pro-tips/

Stationed at Mile 14, in a small park next to the Wellesley town library, we welcome anyone to come join the party. You can set up lawn chairs with us under the Franklin Park Coalition banner, or stop by the table for gatorade, swedish fish, a banana or whatever you need if you're on the course.

This coming Saturday is the last long training run along the course. After that FPC team runners will start to wind down the miles to be ready for the full 26.2 on April 21st.

Here are a few shots from last week's run, it's great being out at a support stop to hear how they're feeling.

Martin Richard Foundation

I occasionally am sent updates about the Richard Family. It may be too much to share so close to the big day when we are thinking about last year's tragedy, training to run 26.2, and coping with all of our everyday lives. But if it helps to think about the strength and love surrounding the survivors - and so many of you on the FPC Team are included in that group ...

The Richards ran in the Turkey Trot this fall and our generous Franklin Park playground philanthropist would like to add a playground to the Shattuck picnic grove in Martin's memory. The family's Dorchester community intertwines with our Franklin Park community.

If you'd like to see the beautiful updates written by Martin's parents:

http://richardfamilyboston.tumblr.com/

Jane Richard

JP GAZETTE

Calling all JP runners! The Jamaica Plain Gazette wants to do an article on the FPC marathon team and feature JP team members. Look for an email from Rebecca, their local reporter. And to all you readers - look for an article in the next issue.

JP runners: will you be at the training run on Saturday? Let's plan a photo shoot!

http://jamaicaplaingazette.com