From Bear Dens to the Oval Office: True stories from my 38 years managing national parks. by Sheridan Steele

Author:Sheridan Steele
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2020-07-16T17:43:39+00:00

The Pope is considered a Head of State and was brought to the park in the Presidential helicopter.

No sooner had the helicopter lifted off for Denver when a dozen gardeners and helpers were out collecting flowers and plants to repair the damaged gardens. We thought it was not only impossible to recreate the intricate designs in a few hours, but the same outcome likely would occur the next day. However, the camp director said hopefully the Pope would see them from the air before the helicopter was low enough to destroy them again.

Local boy scouts gave the Pope some white tennis shoes with yellow laces for his walk in the park. Of course, Secret Service agents and rangers were stationed along the path. They were out of sight not only during his walk, but for hours beforehand to assure his safety and solitude. The charismatic Pope even ventured out to the roadblocks to say hello to the crowd waiting in hopes of getting a glimpse of the pontiff.

Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the retreat center in 2011, and since then, Camp Saint Malo has remained closed. In 2013, one hundred-year rains produced flooding and mudslides, which destroyed the natural terrain and camp property, including the historic Pope John Paul II Trail named in honor of his visit. The Chapel on the Rock was undamaged, but due to the surrounding landscape damage, it has only been occasionally open to the public. The Archdiocese of Denver recently announced plans to preserve the beauty and rich history of the Chapel on the Rock and the Pope Saint John Paul II Trail. In addition, they plan to build a new visitor center nearby. The future of the camp itself is still uncertain.

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