Land Swap Would Grow Garden Of The Gods, Correct Encroachment Issue

Colorado Springs park officials are seeking a land swap they say will right a centuries-old wrong and establish a one-acre Garden of the Gods.

In 2019, while investigating the possibility of running a shuttle service through the park, it was found that a private commercial outlet crossed the public boundary with its parking lot. A photo from 1937 shows a cluttered gift shop parking lot at the intersection of Garden and Bakers avenues, said David Dittmeyer, principal landscape architect for the Parks Department.

"I think over time the use of this parking lot just in front of the shopping center developed and served that purpose for a number of years," Deitmeier said.

This goal continues under the proposal to formally fix the issue. The Trading Post will award a parking lot just 1 acre beyond, as well as another 0.64 acre on the west end.

In exchange, the city would acquire a 2.62-acre tract that stretches further west from Wooded Hill to Balanced Rock.

"Both sides will work toward a better solution that way," said Hank Scarangella of the advocacy group Friends of the Garden of the Gods. "Anything we can do to improve street access in this area is the best thing."

That's one of the benefits of the deal, Dittmeier said. The 2.62 acres in question may represent a balanced cliff shortcut; The Trading Post parking lot serves as an alternate starting point for the rocky base of the often crowded road.

The 2.62-hectare site, Deitmeier said, includes "some amazing rock formations that are quite unique in their own right." He added that visitors looking for a balanced rock "need to walk more to feel like they've reached the goal than to just stand next to it."

A potential rail corridor adjoins the 0.64 hectare site that connects to the Trading Post. That parcel could be additional parking for the store, whose owner Tim Haas recently told the Parking Board he sees the deal as a "win-win."

This space could also be used as a shuttle bus stop, Dittmeier said. A 2019 study found it necessary to stop on the west side of the park, perhaps away from the hustle and bustle of the base of the Balanced Rock.

"Based on the previous study, it was not a priority," Dittmeier said. "What I can convey is that Mr. Haas is willing to pay for an upgrade to the parking lot that will benefit not only the retail outlets, but also other visitors to the park."

With the proposed transfer of about 1.64 acres, Deitmeier said the deal would not require a popular vote under the terms of the 2020 Protecting Our Parks Ordinance. The required vote was introduced before the city could commercialize the parks except in certain circumstances, including a "minimum transfer," meaning a transfer of less than two acres or 5% of the total park area, whichever is less.

Protect Our Orchards grew out of concern over the city's controversial strawberry field swap in 2016. The order was led by Gardens attorney Kent Opie, who negotiated a "minimum clause" based on that exchange at Garden of the Gods.

"I made this accommodation specially available for them," Obi said. “And maybe that actually makes sense with the garden. Not only is it minimalist on the inside, but I don't think anyone I know would care."

After park board approval, the proposal is expected to go before the city council in February.