About Town: Redmond Resident Helps Keep History Alive

Longtime Redmond resident John Couch is now officially a history hero, but those who have known him since his years working for the Redmond parks department already knew that.

The selected Couch as its 2011 History Hero because of his work to further the mission of the society, including rallying numerous volunteers to scan about 8,000 negatives donated to the society. That effort directly helped the society win a King County 4Culture grant this year, said Christine Himes, president of the Redmond Historical Society.

“John has this charisma and enthusiasm you just can’t ignore,” said Himes, who also worked closely with Couch when she was Redmond’s mayor in the early '80s.

Couch, who is also a founding member of the historical society, said one of the reasons he's so interested in Redmond's history is because he’s been part of a great deal of that history. Couch was on the planning team that is responsible for the fact that Redmond has 35 parks, and at the time he retired in 2000, it had 25 miles of trails.

“Part of my responsibilities was to oversee park planning for Redmond’s future, back in the early 70s,”says Couch, who began working for the city in 1968.

Though the city was then a small town of about 10,000 people, “we got the idea that there would be a lot of growth on the Eastside,” Couch said.

Once the city began putting together its vision for the future of parks and activities for Redmond, Couch says it was like a “snowball rolling downhill,” leading to the robust park system the city has today.

Himes said Couch regularly gives talks to about area parks for the society’s speakers bureau and participates in many of its activities. Despite the fact that he spends a fair amount of time working with a condo association for a home he and his wife own in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, he still finds time to ride his vintage bike in the Derby Days parade — or help scoop the manure of some of the parade's four-legged participants.

Couch is right there, Himes says, helping the society, and the city, honor its history. Couch, meanwhile, says it’s his desire to help make history exciting.

“History can be somewhat boring, but it can can come alive if you add a little spunk to it (and) tell them some stories,” he said.

Couch believes Redmond has made some great moves to honor its history, such as making the such a vital part of its public facilities. The building houses numerous community activities and is the home to the Redmond Historical Society.

Couch will receive his History Hero award at the Redmond Historical Society's , set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Anderson Park, 7802 168 Ave. NE in Redmond.

It’s a fitting location — the park is also the site of Couch’s very first office in Redmond.