Support a Safer Garden of the Gods Park

We are living in unprecedented times which call for unprecedented measures. Bike Colorado Springs has proposed to the Colorado Springs Parks Department that the roadways in Garden of the Gods Park be re-purposed during the stay-at-home order.  This action will provide significant additional safe space for socially distant biking, running and walking. 

We are collaborating with several organizations and individuals in our community in proposing this temporary change, which will provide residents with more options for essential exercise to support physical and psychological health.  Our request follows similar changes made in other cities like Denver, Boulder and Philadelphia: prioritizing people by reallocating roads to bicycle and pedestrian traffic. We urge city staff to immediately reallocate roads within Garden of the Gods Park to pedestrian and bicycle traffic only; limiting motor vehicle use to entrance area parking facilities.  

During this pandemic, medical and government entities have recognized that outdoor physical activity is essential in providing health benefits, both physical and psychological. During the stay at home order, we have essentially no out of town tourism. While tourist use is reduced, reallocating the roadways throughout Garden of the Gods would allow residents to recreate while maintaining a safe distance.

We need your help to demonstrate broad support for this proposal. Colorado Springs has an opportunity to be a benchmark for providing citizens with safe places to recreate in a positive and healthful way.  As Olympic City USA, we should strive towards encouraging everyone to enjoy our great outdoors, doing it in a safe and appropriate manner; setting a tone for the entire nation to emulate.