The City of Creede has designated the tri-park area including the community garden, skateboard park, and softball field as Ed Hargraves Park. This is for his outstanding service and contributions to our community for 70 years. The large sign is being installed by the Creede High School shop department at the softball field and will be on display for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m., Monday-Memorial Day, May 27. At noon before the event there will be a hot dog-picnic fundraiser for the dedication and after the presentation there will be a Creede softball game. Everyone is invited.

This particular day is important because Hargraves served in World War II in the 80th Infantry Division front lines. He helped liberate the Buchenwald Concentration Camp, fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Ed and his mother Lillian ran the Creede Hotel from 1947 to 1968. He became the postmaster Creede in the early 1960s until 1984. He was president of the school board, president of the Creede Rotary, was the Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge, president of the upper Rio Grande Fish and Game Association, president of the Creede Historical Society, member of the Creede volunteer fire department for 30 years and was president and fire chief, served as deacon of the Creede community church for 40 years, helped start the Creede Repertory Theater beginning in 1966. He was known as “Mr. Creede” and “Zip.” He had died March 3, 2016.

To help pay for the the large 4’ x 8’ sign that is made of dye sublimation metal and by Wonderwall Studio in Austin, Texas, the shipping, the structure and framing, and installation there is a fundraising. Donations can be made to the city of Creede, Ed Hargraves Park, 2223 North Main Street, Creede, CO 81130.