Capitol Reef National Park would like to invite the community to an update on the historic Fruita Orchards.

This meeting will be held on Friday, May 3rd at 6:30 pm, at the Torrey Pavilion.

Park staff will share lessons learned and next steps on our orchard rehabilitation projects. This process started with public input in 2021 and aims to maintain the fruit harvests and character of the historic orchards.

Since 2022, the park has regraded the Guy Smith and Cook orchards and is growing almost 400 young peach, cherry, and apple trees in these two orchards.

The park also plans to better tell the story of the Fruita Orchards by sharing more information on the pioneer contributions and community connections with the public. This will be shared through several new interpretive signs, updating orchard specific historical information, creating a self-guided orchard tour on the NPS app, and expanding the information available on the park website.

Park staff will have drafts of signs and other information available for feedback and for community members to share family history connections related to Fruita and the orchards.