Medford's dedication to its parks and recreation programs was brought into the spotlight this week as the city honored local heroes who've gone the extra mile. At the City Council Meeting on July 16, the Medford Parks and Recreation Commission presented the 2025 "Friends of Medford Parks and Recreation" awards, celebrating individuals, businesses, and community groups for remarkable contributions to the community's green spaces and recreational activities. These awards, which began in 2005, coincide with National Parks and Recreation Month and have become a staple of community recognition.
This year's Olsrud Family Lifetime Service Award was bestowed upon Bill Maentz, a pivotal figure in the Medford Cruise car event. According to an announcement by Medford, Oregon, Maentz is hailed as the "driving force" behind the event, which is celebrating its 40th year and has raised sizeable funds for children’s causes over the decades. The energy and dedication of Maentz have left lasting ripples in the wellbeing of Medford's younger citizens.
Volunteers like James Levingston and Gini Franklin were also recognized with the Individual Award for their selfless efforts. Levingston has contributed over 320 hours since June 2024, maintaining the historic IOOF/Eastwood Cemetery, while Franklin has given more than 230 hours to park and cemetery events and an additional 80 hours to the Santo Community Center grounds, including work in the pollinator garden. Their hands have tended the soil and stone, preserving beauty and heritage alike for the people of Medford.
In the realm of local businesses, Schmidl Orthodontics received noteworthy praise with the Business Award. Since 2016, Dr. Dana Schmidl's practice has been avidly supporting Parks and Recreation programs, notably the father-daughter and mother-son dances, events cherished by the community. The Rogue Valley Umpires Association secured the Community Service Group Award, covering over 1,700 games in youth and adult baseball, a testament to Medford's vibrant sporting scene.
The Youth Group/Organization Award saw the Southern Oregon Futsal League in the spotlight for their volunteer-coordinated indoor soccer program, enriching the lives of over 4,000 youths aged 8 to 19 in the past 15 years. The league, steered by Julian Cordle, Scott Stewart, and Chelsea Valdez, organized games for 330 kids in Medford over the past two years, fostering both play and passion amidst RogueX's courts.
