COLORADO SPRINGS — Starting today, new after-hour gate closures will be in effect at North Cheyenne Cañon Park.

The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department said these nightly closures is in response to recommendations within the park's master plan, which was adopted in May 2018.

They said the goal is to help reduce illegal activity that happens regularly during the hours North Cheyenne Cañon Park is closed.

“We believe the installation and implementation of this gate system will benefit the long-term health and safety of North Cheyenne Cañon Park,” said Kurt Schroeder, park maintenance and operations manager, in a press release. “Encouraged by the success we’ve seen in other city parks that have implemented overnight gates; we anticipate that overnight gating will have a lasting, positive influence on North Cheyenne Cañon. These parks are community treasures, and we have an obligation to maintain these assets now and long into the future.”

Both Garden of the Gods and Palmer Park have overnight gate closures as of 2018 and 2015, respectively.

The department said having these gates will also give maintenance crews a better way to clear roadways after a heavy snow or allow closures during emergency situations when evacuation might be necessary.

The gates are located on North Cheyenne Cañon Road near the Starsmore Nature and Visitor Center and the parking lot near the Seven Bridges Trailhead. It will restrict access to the park between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.