March 24 Daily Briefing: Leaf blower battle, project delay, city picnic, and more

Welcome to Monday, everyone, and what promises to be a busy week! Aside from a full slate of government meetings, there’s a panel discussion about drug use this evening, a discussion about cannabis on Wednesday, and a city-initiated chat about our local dog parks on Thursday. It’s your chance to have your opinion heard or to simply tune in to what your neighbors and city officials are focusing on. We’ll be at as many of these events as possible, so stick with us as the week unfolds.

🎶 Setting the mood:  “The Mirror” POLO & PAN

LEADING OFF

New sign campaign is latest salvo in battle against gas-powered leaf blowers

Eight years ago, the Palm Springs City Council voted to ban gas-powered leaf blowers. The ordinance officially went into effect about six years ago, but you’d never know if you live in some neighborhoods where residents are roused out of sleep by the noisy, smelly equipment.

Driving the news: The Sustainability Commission discussed the issue at its March 18 meeting and considered different strategies to reduce illegal gas-powered leaf blower use.

• One plan of action is installing neighborhood signage to clearly remind homeowners and landscapers of the rules.

What to expect: The first batch of 23 signs are expected to go up this month in the Sunrise Park neighborhood.

• “We’re kind of like the test neighborhood, and we’ll see if there’s a noise reduction in gas-powered leaf blowers,” one of the commissioners who lives there said.

What else: The commission is also considering other outreach methods, including writing to local news outlets, placing educational materials at hardware stores, and incorporating information in homeowner association newsletters.

Context: In the past, the commission has discussed the challenges with enforcing the leaf blower ban because enforcement is complaint-based. To open a case, code enforcement needs the leaf blower to have been witnessed directly or they need a clear photo that is identifiable.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

BRIEFLY

🚧 Bridge project delayed until September due to nesting birds

A South Palm Springs bridge reconstruction project was postponed after a project biologist discovered active bird nests in the area earlier this month. The city is revising traffic control plans to avoid disturbing the nests, with palm tree relocation in the southern median on South Palm Canyon Drive now delayed until after nesting season ends in September 2025.

• Construction teams are working with environmental agencies to comply with required mitigation procedures. These activities are expected to be completed within two weeks, after which construction will begin on the western bridge span.
  
• Upon completion, landscape plans for the new center median on the bridge will include seven palm trees and desert vegetation, while the median south of the bridge will feature nine palms and desert vegetation.
  
• Up next: A temporary lane closure is scheduled for today, affecting the northbound outside lane of South Palm Canyon Drive from East Sunny Dunes Road to Mesquite Avenue from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit SouthPalmCanyonBridge.com for the latest updates.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert X
The fifth edition of Desert X, the recurring site-specific, international art exhibition is open now through May 11. Find the map of installations on the Desert X website.

Mahjong Monday
1 p.m. | Play Lounge and Cafe
Come play the American version of Mahjong with others. Play Lounge has two mats and sets, but feel free to bring your own. 

CalComMen’s Monday Coffee
5 p.m. | Play Lounge & Café
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.

Parks and Recreation Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The commission advises the City Council on everything related to the planning and monitoring of the city’s 11 parks and recreation services and facilities. Check out this evening’s agenda.

Drugs happen, but death doesn’t have to
6 p.m. | Hunters
The panel will be an open and honest conversation about how we can keep our community safer from drug-related harm. The panel brings together local law enforcement and professionals who work in addiction support and harm reduction.

See all events

SAVE THE DATE

• Rescheduled: AbbaFab Rock the Park Concert at the Downtown Park on Wednesday.
  
• Palm Springs Woman’s Club Annual Scholarship Event Dinner at Palm Springs Surf Club on Wednesday. ($125)
  
• Palm Springs Speaks Presents Mary Louise Kellyon April 3 at the Cultural Center. ($50-$70)
  
• Free Shredding Event at the Palm Springs Convention Center on April 5.
  
• Opera in the Park at Sunrise Park on April 6.
  
• World Art Day at the Downtown Park on April 12.
  
• PS Gay Men’s Chorus “Disney Pride In Concert“ starting April 24. ($35)
  
  Submit your event

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AND FINALLY …

If you didn’t make it out to Ruth Hardy Park on Saturday, we sure missed you, as did dozens of neighborhood organizations, local businesses, and area nonprofit organizations.

Driving the news: Hundreds of people gathered at the park to celebrate community spirit at one of the city’s largest neighborhood events, complete with free food, entertainment, and even hot air balloon rides for the adventurous.

• The 16th Annual Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) Picnic & Community Expo showed how organizers have transformed what began in 2008 as a small barbecue into a major civic celebration.
• What started with 400 attendees has grown to attract more than 1,100 residents annually. 

The scene: Visitors enjoyed a free picnic lunch from local restaurants while exploring exhibits from organizations, including nonprofits, spiritual communities, choirs, the Palm Springs police and fire departments, and multiple ONE-PS neighborhood organizations.

Why it matters: The event always provides a unique opportunity for residents to connect with local services, meet neighbors, and participate in community building in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

💭 Our take: Mark and Kendall met and mingled with dozens of readers at the event and want to thank everyone for taking the time to chat!

• We’d also like to thank the esteemed judge of the pet contest, Cathy Mills (whose costume never fails to impress), for naming our newshound JoJo as the winner in the “cutest pet” division of the dog contest. JoJo went straight home to tell the cats, who were naturally unimpressed.