Garden of the Gods Park, Visitor Center and Trading Post/ The

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 30, 2002 by Lauren Gullion

It's hard to not know about Garden of the Gods, one of our city's breathtaking, natural landmarks. But it's easy to not know much about the park's formation, preservation and current offerings. Read on to learn more.

HISTORY: Charles Elliot Perkins purchased 480 acres of the current Garden of the Gods in the late 1800s for a summer home he never built. After his death in 1907, Perkins' children knew their father wanted the public to enjoy the natural wonder. As a Christmas present of sorts, the land was given to the city of Colorado Springs in December 1909, stipulating that the park belong to the city and be open to the public for free.

A small, unspectacular visitor center existed in a house inside the park until private and public investments partnered to build the current Visitor Center in 1995. The private Garden of the Gods company operates the gift shops and cafe, annually contributing a portion of proceeds to the nonprofit Garden of the Gods Foundation that funds the park's improvements and maintenance. The city of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreational and Cultural Services employees staff the information center and educational programs.

The Trading Post was built in 1924 when Charles E. Strausenback, who had been selling American Indian art at his small stand at the west entrance of the park, wanted to create a structure representative of the Pueblo Indians to sell the goods. The store has expanded six times.

MISSION: Perkins wanted Garden of the Gods to be a free place for the public to enjoy, without liquor and unnecessary buildings.

SPECIAL FEATURES: The two square miles of the park include 13 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. The Visitor Center also has information on 300 rock-climbing routes within the park, including regulations and registration forms (you must register before climbing). Rock Ledge Ranch, inside the park, offers horseback riding.

The Visitor Center features more than 30 educational exhibits designed to teach ages 11 and older about the park's history and ecosystem. The center also shows an educational 12-minute film about the natural creation of the park ($2 adults, $1 children).

KIDS WILL LOVE: Becoming Junior Rangers. For $1.50, kids ages 7 to 12 get a handbook filled with activities to keep young naturalists scribbling and discovering their way through the park.

OUR FAVORITE PART: Being reminded why we live here. From the photograph magnets in the souvenir shop to the quiet trails in early evening, Garden of the Gods is a majestic reminder of the quality of life in Colorado Springs.

ONE THING NOT TO MISS: The opportunity to sneak away from an otherwise average day to eat a meal at the park. The Trading Post's Balanced Rock Caf serves wood-fired pizzas, buffalo burgers and other tasty fare, including beer and wine, at its indoor dining area and patio area from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The patio usually closes in late October but will open on good- weather days through the winter.

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW: The least crowded trail in the park is the Siamese Twins Trail, which is an easy, half-mile trek that rises less than 100 feet to a rock-framed view of Pikes Peak.

SPECIAL EVENTS/DAYS: An annual Earth Day celebration enlivens the park with American Indian dancers, animals, ecology speakers and special geological walks.

SOUVENIRS: Oh, yeah. Among the Visitor Center's three gift shops and the Trading Post's expansive collection, Garden of the Gods offers any and all Colorado-themed souvenir gifts imaginable, as well as beautiful jewelry and fine art.

RECOMMENDED TIME TO VISIT: Early mornings and evenings are when your view is least likely to be obscured by tourists scrambling among buses and the rocks.

BE PREPARED: Bring clothes for hiking and exploring the park. Also, bring a well-supplied wallet if you plan to hit any souvenir shops.

THE DETAILS

HOURS: The park is open 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily in the summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day); 5 a.m.-9 p.m. the rest of the year. The Visitor Center is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. in the summer; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily the rest of the year. The Trading Post is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily in the summer; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. the rest of the year.

LOCATION: West of 30th Street. The Visitor Center is at 1805 N. 30th St., at the east entrance to the park. The Trading Post is at the western entrance in Manitou Springs at 324 Beckers Lane, near Balanced Rock.

PHONE: Visitor Center, 634-6666; Trading Post, 685-9045.

PARKING: Free in paved lots outside the Visitor Center, throughout the park and in front of the Trading Post.

COST: Free.

WEB SITE: www.gardenofgods.com

TOURS: The Visitor Center runs free, 45-minute nature walks every day of the year at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with additional walks during the summer. Groups should call 219-0101 to arrange a group walk. The Visitor Center also offers narrated mini-bus tours in the summer ($3.75 adults, $2.50 kids).

DISABLED ACCESS: The Visitor Center and Trading Post are handicap accessible, as are parking and the 1.5-mile Perkins Central Garden Trail.