Recreation Center Remodeled
The “teen room” inside the recreation center pool building was renovated with new tables, chairs, games, TV, etc.
The red rock sandstone formations set against Pikes Peak, now called Garden of the Gods, have long been revered for their natural beauty. Centuries ago, it served as a Native American crossroads where numerous nomadic tribes gathered in peace. According to local stories, the immense sandstone formations were considered sacred ground, and because of this, rival tribes laid down their weapons when entering the Garden of the Gods.
The view has always been magnificent, and in the mid-20th century, when club founder Al Hill looked out across the mesa — with the lucent rays of late-day sun bathing the landscape in a golden glow — he knew he’d found his paradise. A powerful place, magnetic in its charms, unspoiled, utterly peaceful, and surrounded by awe-inspiring natural splendor.
Hill and his wife, Margaret, dreamed of sharing that view with others by creating what is now the nationally renowned Garden of the Gods Resort and Club. The Hills purchased the property in 1949, and shortly thereafter, built a private club, luxury resort, and residential community that showcased man-made elegance in an unparalleled natural setting.
Following the official opening of Garden of the Gods Club in 1951, Hill’s continued vision was grand and ambitious: to create the ultimate escape where an elite, exclusive membership could find refuge and respite, and enjoy the finer things in life.
Merging the rugged beauty of the landscape with the refined ambiance of a world-class luxury resort, Garden of the Gods Club attracted fascinating people of means and influence: movie stars, titans of industry, politicians, artists, authors, and musicians. All of them drawn to its undeniable allure and discerning community of like-minded members.
In the ensuing decades, the Club’s unique culture and traditions were proudly passed from one generation to the next, shaping a timeless legacy that celebrates life well-lived.
In 2007, Sunrise Company purchased the property from Hill Development and the Hill family. However, in 2013, local ownership returned when business leaders and long-time Garden of the Gods Club members Brenda Smith, an accounting executive, and healthcare executive Judy Mackey, acquired the high-profile resort and renamed it Garden of the Gods Resort and Club.
With the ultimate goal of inspiring our guests, we strive to deliver in every detail, creating an unrivaled hospitality and wellness experience with the power to transform lives. It is through Smith and Mackey’s vision that Strata Med Spa Fit was created.
As we write the next chapter our Garden of the Gods history and in the legacy of this spectacular and singularly special place, we do so in a spirit of stewardship — balancing a vaunted respect for the past with an equally ambitious view of the future.
Today, we are no longer an exclusive club but rather an inclusive destination of discovery. And, as we evolve, we remain committed to Hill’s original vision. To share and celebrate the Garden of the Gods Resort and Club experience, welcoming all who seek to restore their spirits and satisfy their souls.
In June of 2021, Garden of the Gods Resort and Club celebrates its 70th anniversary.
We invite you to scroll through our snapshots in time, and dive into decades of legendary history.