225 Registered to Run at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Clear blue skies and a cold wind set the backdrop for a morning when 225 runners registered to run in the 19^th Eileen C. Dugan Memorial 5K at Brooklyn Bridge Park on April 8.

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, St. Francis College, and Brooklyn Bridge Park joined together to host the run for the sixth time, giving repeat runners an up close look at how the park has changed; showing off massive pier renovations as well as lush greenery and new amenities each year.

The 3.1-mile race remembers Eileen Dugan, a New York State Assemblywoman who represented the local 52nd AD (Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Red Hook, Sunset Park, and Bay Ridge) from 1980 to 1996, when her life was cut short by breast cancer at 51 years of age. Her early leadership and advocacy to create a public park on the Brooklyn waterfront were instrumental in making Brooklyn Bridge Park a reality.

"St. Francis College is proud to continue to support the Eileen C. Dugan Run. Like so many of our students, Assemblywoman Dugan saw the possibility of a better future and worked hard on behalf of others to make it real. This park is a shining example of her dream come true," said St. Francis College President Timothy J. Houlihan. "With the passing in December of her brother Brendan J. Dugan, former president of St. Francis, the run takes on added meaning. Brendan was proud of this jewel on the Brooklyn waterfront and the connection it has to the memory of his sister."

"It is an honor to welcome runners back to Brooklyn Bridge Park for the 19th Eileen C. Dugan 5K this spring," said Nancy Webster, Executive Director of the Conservancy. "We are proud to celebrate the life of Eileen Dugan, her commitment to public service, and her advocacy for the creation of this incredible public park on the Brooklyn waterfront."

Before the run took place, David Lowin, who was serving as Brooklyn Bridge Park Interim President, said "Assemblymember Dugan's support was essential to creating the incredible waterfront park we have today and we are proud to honor her legacy."

All proceeds from the run support the Conservancy's free cultural, recreational, and educational events.

St. Francis College, founded in 1859 by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, is located in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Since its founding, the College has pursued its Franciscan mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education to students from New York City's five boroughs and beyond.

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