Reed Park History - DRAFT

Reed Park was built in 1984 and is the heaviest used park in Fruita aside from Little Salt Wash Park. Reed Park is located in downtown Fruita at 250 S. Elm Street. In 2024, Reed Park underwent a major renovation adding a new playground, wheel park, shelters, restrooms, upgraded electrical for events, and a space to play soccer, pickleball, and basketball. 

These renovations wouldn’t be possible without funding from the US Soccer Foundation Grant, PlayCore CPRA Grant, and Great Outdoors Colorado. These improvements brought the facility up to current standards and provides a high-quality experience in the downtown area.

If you are interested in reserving a park shelter at Reed Park, please give us a call at 970-858-0360.

Renovations and Preserving Fruita History

The design and renovations you see today are the culmination of years of planning and community feedback. Back in 2020, the Parks, Recreation, Health, and Open Space Master Plan was updated and adopted by Fruita City Council. During the planning process, community members provided input on what they think the future of Fruita Parks and Recreation looks like, including Reed Park. In addition to this input, the City of Fruita worked closely with the Grand Valley skate community to design a wheel park for all ages and abilities to enjoy. When looking at the playground, you will notice elements like farm animals, agriculture, and the Fruita logo to honor the history of Reed Park and how it serves the community today.

One element the Fruita community loved (and still loves) about the old park was the merry-go-round. Community members often share stories about growing up and the memories associated with the merry-go-round at Reed Park. Due to safety precautions, we had to replace the old merry-go-round during the renovation with a new one. However, we still wanted to honor the memories enjoyed and keep the old merry-go-round as part of the new renovation. Working with local artists Pavia Justinian and Shanachie Carroll, the old merry-go-round was transformed into a nice furniture set that the community can enjoy. These seats are located in the heart of Reed Park near the playground. 

Reed Park History - Fruita Union High School 1904-1934 

By Steve and Denise Hight, Local Historians

Reed Park is one of Fruita’s most popular parks. It is home to a variety of community events including Fruita Farmers Market and Food Truck Fridays, and it is currently undergoing exciting major renovations to the playground, restrooms, and multi-sport game areas.  

But for many decades before the land at the intersection of East McCune and South Maple was established as Reed Park in 1983, the south end of the property was the home of Fruita Union High School. 

Childhood education has always been important to local residents, and by the turn of the 20th century, seven school districts had been established in the Lower Grand Valley. At first all the high school classes were held in the same buildings as the grade school classes. Four of those districts — Fruita, Loma, Rhone, and Star — joined forces and formed a union high school and opened a new, two-story brick building in 1904. Called Fruita Union High School, the building was built on land owned by George Reed. Later, the other three districts — Hunter, New Liberty, and Mack — joined the union as well. The school sat at the south end of the Reed property and faced north. 

For 30 years, students from Fruita and throughout the Lower Valley attended and graduated high school at the original Fruita Union High School. But tragically, the school burned down on September 24, 1934 during a remodeling project. According to the Fruita Times, “Students had just entered their second hour classes when the fire whistle blew, and at the command of the teachers, left the building in an orderly manner, thinking that it was only a fire drill. It wasn’t until most of the students had gotten outside that they realize [sic] that the school was really afire.”  

All 234 students and their teachers escaped unharmed, only to stand outside and despairingly watch their beloved school rapidly be consumed by the flames. A local water shortage reduced water pressure too much for hoses to be of much use, and a strong wind spread the blaze quickly throughout the building and threatened nearby houses. Damage to the school was estimated at $45,000. About $500 of new text books just purchased for that school year were also destroyed, as were approximately 1000 jars of canned fruits and vegetables that the students had been collecting for needy residents. Although the exact cause of the fire was never determined, the Fruita Times stated that “It is thought that the origin of this fire was started by either faulty electric wiring or by sparks from a passing D.&R.G.W. engine.”  

Immediately after the fire, the school was relocated, at first to a temporary location at the Fruita Armory, which stood where the Fruita Police Department parking lot is now located, and in September 1936, a brand new Fruita Union High School, located on North Maple Street and East Pabor Avenue, opened its doors. The new Fruita Union High School was dedicated on October 3, 1936, and on May 27, 1937, 54 seniors took part in the first commencement exercises. The school’s design was so striking and modern that it was featured in the February 1938 edition of Architectural Forum magazine. In 1955, a junior high school wing was added to the north, opening in 1956. 

The Reeds resumed dairy farming at the original site from 1935 until 1979. When Fruita began to grow and the site became increasingly part of the downtown Fruita area, the Reeds ceased dairy farming and donated the site to the City of Fruita for the purpose of installing a park. The park was built and was inaugurated in 1983. For more than forty years, Reed Park, thanks to the generosity of the Reed family, has been one of Fruita’s most popular outdoor destinations.