Garden Of The Gods Park's Popularity Spurs Security Changes

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs is becoming a victim of its own popularity. The free park, which is open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the winter, will install gates on four roads into the park to control traffic and limit vandalism, park officials told KOAA News.

“The park is so popular. We have so many people. We always used to say we've got a million visitors a year. Well now we know that's closer to 4 million visitors a year," Colorado Springs Parks Maintenance and Operations Manager, Kurt Schroeder told the TV station.

Gates will control traffic for special events (like the weekly 5K race every Thursday), maintenance work, safety and to prevent crime, Schroeder said. "Unfortunately a lot of mischief happens when it's dark," Schroeder told KOAA.

Read more on KOAA's website here.

Image via Garden of the Gods Park