Vandals temporarily close Blodgett Open Space south parking lot
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Springs Park officials say they have been forced to temporarily close the Blodgett Open Space south parking lot. Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services say this is to reduce unauthorized access which has led to vandalism in the space.
"Unfortunately, because of the location of the Blodgett Peak South Lot, it's somewhat out of sight, out of mind," said Kurt Schroeder, Colorado Springs Park Maintenance and Operations Manager. "And when that's the case, it unfortunately leads to some activities in there that you otherwise wouldn't prefer to have.”
For a few weeks now, people who live near the South Lot have complained that teenagers are using the open space as a party space. They say it's become a spot for underaged drinking, and blaring music.
A small structure on the property has even been vandalized and broken into.
"In order to curtail some of those activities, we've locked it down until we can establish a more secure gating system," said Schroeder. "At that point, like we do in many of our other parks, we will have a security service come and make sure people leave when the park is closed, and then they'll lock the gate. Then we'll unlock it in the mornings."
The parking lot is located off Blodgett Ranch Trail. The Blodgett Open Space north parking lot on Woodmen Road will remain open.
The Parks Department is working to install gates to curb the vandalism and defacement of city property. The south parking lot will reopen once the installation of gates is complete.
This isn't the first time Colorado Springs has been forced to install gates to keep out illegal activity. Parks and Rec says gating has been successful in securing park properties like Garden of the Gods, North Cheyenne Cañon, and Palmer Park, which they say has deterred illegal activity.
"It's cut down on the mischief, and makes it easier on park staff," said Schroeder. "It saves staff the time from having to clean up the result of what occurred the night before. The gate also protects the resource too, because sometimes those activities can be destructive to the resource, especially in the form of fire."
The Colorado Springs Parks Department hopes to have permanent gates installed at the Blodgett Open Space South Parking Lot by the end of April.
