The Traverse City and Garfield Township Recreational Authority is accepting nominations for the 2025 Ross Biederman Volunteer Service Award through March 31.

A local radio broadcaster and community benefactor, Biederman chaired the all-volunteer Rec Authority board of directors from its inception in 2003 until retiring from the board in 2021. The award was created in his name to permanently honor Biederman’s demonstrated leadership and commitment to the work of the Rec Authority and to recognize exemplary volunteer involvement with the Authority’s parklands and services into the future.

Nominations are accepted from the public from January 1 through March 31 each year, with awards made by the Rec Authority board of directors each spring. A plaque honoring recipients is permanently on public display inside the Cathedral Barn at Historic Barns Park. Nomination instructions and materials are available online or through the Rec Authority office, 231-715-1380 or
mcowall@recauthority.org.

Biederman was the award’s inaugural recipient in 2022. The 2023 award honored Karen and Kurt Schmidt for their work on the Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park. In 2024, Richard Lewis received the award in recognition of his role in the creation of the Rec Authority in 2003 and subsequent volunteer service both on and off the Authority board of directors