by Barrett Gray
2009 marks the 100-year anniversary of Garden of the Gods Park, a Registered National Natural Landmark located in Colorado Springs.
Garden of the Gods is home to massive red sandstone formations that inspired one early visitor to proclaim it a “fit place for the Gods to assemble.” The land for the park was donated to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909 by the children of Charles Elliott Perkins.
Perkins, the head of Burlington Railroad, purchased 240 acres in 1879 with the intent of building a summer home. Although he added additional acreage over the years, he never did contruct a home on the property. Instead, he opened it to visitors, so that all could enjoy its wonders. He died in 1907 without formalizing the arrangement, but his heirs carried through with his desire to create a park that would remain free to the public.
Today admission to the park is still free of charge, as is admission to the Visitor Center. There are fees for guided tours and movies explaining the history of the park, but they are well worth the minor expense.
There is an admission fee for the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, which is open during the summer months only. Currently, the fee is $6 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. There will be free admission to Rock Ledge Ranch on April 18, when the Visitor Center hosts its Earth Day celebration. There will be live music, arts and crafts, performances by the Sweet Water Indian Dancers, guided nature walks, and several demonstrations and displays.
Mountain biking is allowed on designated trails, and on June 20 the Visitor Center will once again be the starting point for the midnight Starlight Spectacular ride. (Details at www.starlightspectacular.org.)
There are two picnic areas in the park, and rock climbing is allowed as long as climbers register. If you prefer to tour the park on horseback, guided rides are available through Academy Riding Stables (719-633-5667). You can even get married in the park, you just need to file a form with the city (719-385-5941).
Garden of the Gods Park
Open Daily:
Nov. 1 to April 31, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.;
May 1 to Oct. 31, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
www.gardenofgods.com
Garden of the Gods
Visitor and Nature Center
Open Daily:
Memorial Weekend to Labor Day,
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
Labor Day to Memorial Weekend,
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1805 N. 30th Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80904
719-634-6666
www.gardenofgods.com
