City unveils $400,000 renovation of once-troubled Baristo Park

Palm Springs officials and neighbors on Thursday celebrated the transformation of Baristo Park from a troubled area into a vibrant community space with the unveiling of a $400,000 renovation featuring inclusive playground equipment.

During a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony, Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte remarked on the significant turnaround of the park located at 296 South Calle Encilia, which at one point in 2021 was closed due to an ever-increasing amount of drug use among members of the homeless community who camped there.

“For those who had been here two years ago, they didn’t have … the kids over here playing on the playground,” deHarte said. “We really turned a neighborhood park back into a park for the neighborhood.”

The renovation is part of a broader initiative that has seen similar transformations at Victoria Park and Demuth Park, with Ruth Hardy Park and others slated for future improvements.

Mayor Pro Tem Naomi Soto emphasized the comprehensive features of the new playground equipment during the ceremony, highlighting its inclusive design.

“This park has a lot of inclusive play for all kids, regardless of their physical or sensory abilities,” Soto said. “For younger kids, there’s a Tot Rock climbing wall, a Ten Spin to support up to 10 children. And then for the older kids, we have the Upstop Climber and a Terrain Climber offering exciting challenges that build strength and confidence.”

The playground’s modern amenities include shade structures — a welcome improvement over traditional playground equipment. DeHarte reminisced about his childhood experiences with unshaded steel slides, contrasting them with today’s more thoughtful designs.

John Miraglia, chair of the Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Commission, acknowledged the park’s troubled history and the community’s positive response to its renovation.

“I do remember when this park was a disaster,” Miraglia said. “The upgrade is huge. It’s taken a really long time, but I know that this community is really happy with what’s happened here.”

City officials attributed the successful transformation to collaborative efforts between city staff, neighborhood associations, and the police department working together to reclaim the space for families.

These efforts align with community priorities. City Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein referenced a recent master plan that found 93% of residents use parks in some capacity.

“Parks are really one of the things that make a city great. It makes quality of life. It’s the reason that we want to live here and experience our city,” Bernstein said.

---