Michael Satterfield
by Michael Satterfield – 09/21/2016
The Garden of the Gods is a magical place. It is four hundred eighty acres of untouched natural beauty that is open to the public free of charge. I parked the Fiat 500L and headed into the visitor’s center to learn more about the park.
The park was a gift to the City of Colorado Springs by railroad tycoon Charles Elliott Perkins. Perkins always wanted the space to be enjoyed by the public as a place to reflect on the natural beauty of the garden.
In 1909, Perkins’ children, knowing their father’s feeling for the Garden of the Gods, conveyed his four-hundred eighty acres to the City of Colorado Springs. It would be known forever as the Garden of the Gods “where it shall remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed, where no building or structure shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park.”
Today the park is still free for all who wish to visit, including over 15 miles of trails, picnic areas, and a visitor center that showcases the park’s history and geological significance. I took a bit of a diversion from my road trip to Denver to stop and meet up with fashion model Madison Flowers to go on a short hike and take some pictures in the amazing park.
Planning your visit is easy, even if you are tight on time, I recommend at least taking a drive through the parks amazing roads before jumping back on the I-25. To plan your visit CLICK HERE.
