Redmond Historical Society (RHS) has selected John Couch for the 2011 History Hero award.

Couch spent 30 years as the Parks and Recreation director for the City of Redmond and during his tenure, built a network of open spaces.

In addition to his work with the parks and recreation department, Couch’s ability to corral volunteers for the society’s Sammamish Valley News scanning project made him the unanimous choice for this year’s award.

The 2011 History Hero award will be presented to Couch at the RHS’s annual picnic on June 11. The picnic will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Anderson Park, 7802 168 Avenue N.E.