Born and raised in Staten Island, Erik Strommen grew up in the borough’s parks – shooting hoops, running trails, and building a lifelong connection to the green spaces around him. A graduate of St. Peter’s Boys High School and Manhattan College, he now works as a Water Resource Civil Engineer with H2M Architects + Engineers. Committed to promoting a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient community for all, Erik brings that mission into both his engineering work and his community efforts. He is running the NYC Marathon on behalf of the Staten Island Park Alliance to give back to the community and parks that shaped his childhood, and to support the transformation of the former Staten Island landfill into one of New York City’s largest and most meaningful public spaces.