Group wants Garden of the Gods name changed
Over the weekend, a group was reportedly petitioning at the Garden of the Gods park in hopes of changing the name of the park and another well-known rock formation.
The viewer told KRDO Newschannel 13 the group was proposing the name be changed to “Garden of our God.” The viewer said the group was also proposing changing the name of “Kissing Camels” to “Whispering Camels.”
KRDO Newschannel 13 spoke with several hikers on Tuesday, and none of them supported the changes.
“People from all over the world come here. People from all different kinds of backgrounds come here. It may not be a good idea because it may cause some type of controversy,” said Alyssa Winston.
“Well, I think it’s actually kind of a foolish thing. This has been Garden of the Gods as long as I’ve been alive. There’s no reason to change it. You don’t accomplish anything. You don’t create anything new,” said Barry Mercer.
“I’ve been here for almost 13 years in Colorado and it’s always been known as Garden of the Gods for me. I think it needs just to stay that way,” said Eric Temmert.
“I don’t like that. I just think it’s always been known as Garden of the Gods and it should stay that way,” said Amy Wiltscheck.
According to officials at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, even if the petition is successful, the name is unlikely to be altered.
Bret Tennis, program coordinator for the Garden of the Gods, said when the park was gifted to the city in 1909 there were several rules that were put in place by the original owners.
“One of those rules stipulates that the Garden of the Gods shall always be named Garden of the Gods, and so it’s most likely going to keep that name,” said Tennis.
Tennis said they do hear from those who are dissatisfied with the name of the park often.
“We hear comments on a regular basis. Some people tend to have a conflict, or they don’t like the name Garden of the Gods. They have a problem with the plurals, but that is the name it was given and that’s the name it’s going to be,” said Tennis.
KRDO Newschannel 13 tried to track down the petitioning group, but were unable to locate them.
For more information on the origin of the name, click here.
