City officials denounce recent graffiti at Garden of the Gods

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Garden of the Gods, a treasured Colorado Springs park was vandalized this week, sparking outrage among many.

Staff posted a photo of the graffiti on the Garden of the Gods Facebook page to bring attention to the issue, after rocks at Sentinel Spires were defaced. The post has since received 1,400 reactions and nearly 200 comments.

It's unfortunately, something park manager John Stark said he deals with often.

"With COVID-19, there's certainly an increase use in our open spaces and in our parks and there are an increase number of maintenance issues that have come up," Stark said.

While staff are not looking to punish visitors, Stark said this type of activity at the city park not only breaks the rules, but is disrespectful.

"Something that as park professionals, we try to educate the public about why it's important to leave no trace."

It's a feeling shared by Colorado natives and visitors.

"Obviously it's not a nice thing to do, we want to preserve our natural parks the way that they are and vandalizing that just takes all of that away," park visitor Yabeidi Brito said.

Staff and rangers will be on the lookout for anyone else who may try to do the same.

"When you're visiting parks, think about it, that leaving behind your name, you're taking away from somebody else's adventure," Stark said.