Palm Springs moves forward on multiple park improvement projects

The Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Commission approved a themed playground replacement for Desert Highland Park and received updates on three other major park projects at its Monday meeting.

The commission unanimously approved a new playground design for Desert Highland Park that pays tribute to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway with an $800,000 project that combines two separate play areas into one structure.

The approved design features elements representing the tramway experience, with children climbing up ramps designed to mimic ascending the mountain, reaching a platform with a tram cutout, then sliding down representing the descent back to the valley floor, according to Nick Gonzalez, director of Parks and Recreation.

“The idea here is that children can go ahead and use these different ramp features,” Gonzalez said. “As they’re climbing up the mountain into the tram and then they sit on this top area right before you go down the slides.”

The playground will include slides, swings, musical equipment, interactive panels and features for children with special needs, including transfer stations for wheelchair users and communication panels for nonverbal children. The structure will also feature custom palm tree toppers created specifically for Palm Springs. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026 pending City Council approval.

At Ruth Hardy Park, construction crews are making progress on a playground replacement project that began Sept. 2. Demolition was completed by Sept. 12, and post and structure installation was underway as of Sept. 22. The project has a target completion date of Dec. 23.

The inoperable Downtown Park splash pad project is nearing completion with most mechanical work finished. The project is waiting on a long lead time item expected to arrive by the end of October, according to a city project manager. Staff is coordinating programming for lights and water shows for the facility’s launch.

The city is also moving forward with plans to relocate and replace the restroom at Victoria Park. The new restroom will be based on the Demuth Aquatic Center restroom plans with some modifications.

The facility will be relocated and reoriented so entrances face the playground, volleyball courts and picnic area to allow for better supervision of children and families. The project is expected to go before the City Council for approval in October or November.

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