Sept. 2 Daily Briefing: Playground preview, merchants prep for season, and more

Welcome to Tuesday and to September! This month is National Recovery Month, and today we invite you to hear how the Sunny Dunes Clubhouse in Palm Springs is stepping into the spotlight to share how they’ve quietly become a transformative sanctuary in the community, hosting about 100 recovery meetings per week for people from all walks of life. Tune in today to a special episode of PromoHomo.TV and learn all about how the organization is assisting those seeking recovery from addiction, trauma, and life’s many challenges.

🎶 Setting the mood: “We’re Going To Be Friends” by The White Stripes

LEADING OFF

Community weighs in on Desert Highland playground designs

Palm Springs Parks and Recreation officials presented two design options for an $800,000 playground renovation at Desert Highland Park that will merge separate play areas and test new solar lighting technology. The project combines existing playgrounds for different age groups into one themed structure celebrating Palm Springs landmarks.

Driving the news: The renovation will expand the playground footprint while incorporating rubberized surfacing, comprehensive shade structures, and Palm Springs-specific elements including aerial tramway panels and desert animal features.

• Two design concepts accommodate between 176-201 children, with option two featuring a 10-foot aerial tramway tower that community members preferred.

Why it matters: Desert Highland Park will serve as the pilot location for solar-powered playground lighting that doesn’t require additional electrical work before the technology expands citywide.

• The project emphasizes accessibility with 360-degree loop climbers for wheelchair transfers, communication boards for non-verbal children, and direct ramp access to play structures.

What’s next: The project needs Parks and Recreation Commission approval later this month and City Council approval in October to meet a November grant deadline.

• Construction is scheduled to begin in Jan., with the current toddler playground remaining operational during part of the construction period.

Community feedback: Residents at the Aug. 26 meeting requested more neighborhood-specific elements beyond citywide attractions and expressed concerns about swing capacity and playground maintenance.

• Additional community input will be collected at a Desert Highland neighborhood meeting on Sept. 9 before the Parks Commission considers the project Sept. 29.

Dive deeper with our complete story

IN OTHER NEWS

🛍️ Local merchants are entering their peak tourist season with tempered expectations following a surprisingly successful summer that exceeded initial forecasts. [KESQ]

🏈 Palm Springs High School improved to 2-0 with a 28-21 victory over Grand Terrace on Friday, overcoming a 14-14 halftime tie to remain undefeated while dropping the Titans to 0-2. [Desert Sun]

🚧 Waterline installation will require overnight work with flaggers directing traffic at South Palm Canyon Drive and East Sunny Dunes Road through Friday night. [City of Palm Springs]

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Knit Together
10 a.m. | The Center
Hosted by Doug Morris, this group is a social knitting group and is open to anyone with any level of fiber enthusiasm. This is not a class.

Better Brain & Balance
1 p.m. | The Center
Stay mentally sharp and physically stable. The class design is for older adults noticing memory issues and/or balance challenges. ($15)

Queer Colon Care Collective
5 p.m. | Virtual
This support group is open to LGBTQ+ colorectal cancer patients, survivors, or caregivers. Organizers will offer resources and a sense of community in a safe place to share experiences. 

Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Board members will meet to go over applications for alterations to historically significant properties or nominations for new historic properties.

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• CV Lip Sync Battle on Saturday
  
• 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Sept. 11 starting at 8:15 a.m.
  
• Healthy Desert Healthy You Environmental Summit from Sept. 11-12
  
• Cinema Diverse for two weekends this month
  
• Annual Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs on Sept. 17
  
• One Night Out Paris benefitting The Foundation for PSUSD on Oct. 4 
  
• Junior Ranger Expo at Indian Canyons on Oct. 11
  
• Spooktacular 5K/10K Run at Ruth Hardy Park on Oct. 11

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today, we invite you to meet the lovely Maggie,  a three-year-old female terrier mix who’s been at the shelter since for a little bit now. Staff at the shelter say she’s affectionate with people she’s grown to know and tends to like women, making her perfect in a women-only home.

• Staff also said Maggie walks well on leash, though she can initially get a little excited at the start of the walk.

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here.  lounge by clicking here.