Parks and Recreation Commission approves operating rules for expanded Demuth Park pickleball complex ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

*Images from ongoing construction of new pickleball courts at Demuth are seen along with the layout of the courts after expanding from 12 to 22. (Photos: City of Palm Springs)*

The Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously approved operating guidelines Monday for the expanded Demuth Park pickleball complex, establishing rules for reservations, open play and court use ahead of the facility’s anticipated August opening.

The city is expanding the complex from 12 to 22 courts as part of a $5.1 million project funded in part by Measure J. Construction began in October 2025 and is nearing completion, with court lighting expected to be operational later this month pending delivery of electrical equipment.

Under the new guidelines, the courts will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Open play will be offered from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by one-hour court reservations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. After 3 p.m., one court at each skill level will remain available for reservations while the remaining courts will continue to operate on a first-come, first-served rotation system.

Parks and Recreation Director Nick Gonzalez said the reservation system will preserve ample opportunities for free public play.

The policy also requires permits for tournaments, league play, private lessons and other organized activities. Only instructors authorized by the city may teach on the courts, and lessons will be scheduled through the reservation system.

The guidelines designate courts by skill level — beginner, intermediate, advanced intermediate and advanced — and establish rotation procedures for players waiting to play. They also prohibit smoking, vaping, alcohol, dogs, bicycles, chairs and amplified sound on or near the courts and ask players to respect nearby residents and leave the facility clean.

The guidelines will be posted on court signage, the city’s website and the online reservation system.

Separately Monday, the commission approved a revised air quality policy for the Palm Springs Swim Center. Rather than automatically closing when air quality reaches a specified threshold, the city will post warning signage during unhealthy conditions and adjust programming as needed, reserving full closures for hazardous air quality.