City Council approves $250,000 for Turf Conversion Rebate Program; Residents encouraged to participate

In an effort to encourage water conservation during the current statewide drought, the City of Palm Springs will match the Desert Water Agency’s (DWA) $3 per square foot turf removal rebate up to $5,000 per project.

The combined $6 per square foot incentive will be available to residences and HOAs for grass removal. The City and DWA are targeting Dec. 1 to launch the joint program.

The City Council approved a total of $250,000 for the rebate program at their Oct. 27 meeting. Projects receiving a City match will be required to minimize their use of artificial turf.

“We thank Desert Water Agency for partnering with the City to accelerate essential water-wise landscaping as we move forward with necessary conservation efforts,” said Mayor Lisa Middleton. “The City of Palm Springs is committed to supporting our residents to minimize their water usage during this severe drought.”

“We’re grateful to the City of Palm Springs for grass removal funding to help us work with more residents and HOAs,” said DWA Board President Kristin Bloomer. “Removing grass is the best thing property owners can do to reduce their water footprint. These projects help our community become more sustainable.”

In addition, low-income residents who live in disadvantaged communities may be eligible for additional incentive funding to help offset the cost of converting from grass to water-wise landscaping.

More information will be posted at dwa.org/city and at yoursustainablecity.com.

Businesses encouraged to apply for City's new Security Camera System Pilot Grant Program

The City of Palm Springs has established a new Security Camera System Pilot Grant Program designed to assist businesses with purchase and installation of security cameras at commercial properties within the city.

The program features a grant of up to $500 per business and will be paid as a reimbursement to business or property owners based on actual costs for purchase and installation of security cameras.

A total of $20,000 is available for the pilot program at this time.

For more information about the program and to download a fillable grant application, click HERE.

Grants will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt and approval of the application.

For questions, please contact Diana Shay in Community & Economic Development via email at [email protected]

Businesses encourgaged to apply for new Facade Improvement Grant Program

To apply for the program, click HERE.

It's Parade Season in Palm Springs!

It’s parade season in Palm Springs! So mark your calendars for these fun and FREE special events highlighting the City’s diverse LGBTQ community, a powerful and poignant tribute to our veterans – and the ringing in of the holiday season with the spectacular 30th Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade.

Below is a list of the City’s much loved parades coming this fall to Palm Springs:

36th Annual Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade, Sunday, Nov. 6, 10 a.m. along Palm Canyon Drive from Tachevah to Amado Road. Pride Festival runs Nov. 4 - 6. For more information, visit pspride.org.

25th Annual City of Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade, Friday, Nov. 11, 3:30 p.m. Parade runs along Palm Canyon Drive. This year’s theme is “Honoring All Who Serve.” A patriotic concert and fireworks finale at Palm Canyon Drive and Amado Road will immediately follow the parade. Once again, this year’s Veterans Day Parade will be broadcast live on NBC Palm Springs. For more information, visit psveteransday.com.

30th Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, Saturday, Dec. 3. Start time is 5:45 p.m. along Palm Canyon Drive. The City’s signature holiday event features twinkling lights, magnificent marching bands, spectacular floats, huge Macy’s-style holiday floats, and Santa Claus. The parade will be broadcast live on NBC Palm Springs. For more information, visit psfestivaloflights.com.

VillageFest now starts one hour earlier

If you’re looking for something fun to do this fall, come on down to Palm Springs VillageFest!

The popular street festival, which runs along Palm Canyon Drive in downtown every Thursday night between Baristo and Amado roads, now starts an hour earlier -- with hours of operation from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Look for a host of special events this season.

Consistently voted the best weekly street fair in the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs VillageFest attracts thousands of residents and visitors and offers more than 200 booths with art, handcrafted items and unique food. Shops, galleries, boutiques and restaurants stay open late. For more information, visit VillageFest.org.

Pickleball & Cornhole with PSPD! Come down to VillageFest this Thursday for the Shop with a Cop Holiday Youth Fundraiser

New Downtown Park honored with prestigious award of excellence!

The City of Palm Springs is pleased to announce the beautiful new Downtown Park will be honored with the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Award of Excellence this month in San Francisco.

The inviting 1.5-acre park, designed by Los Angeles-based RIOS, was chosen for the prestigious nationwide award by jury panels representing a broad cross-section of the profession, including the public and private sectors and academia. A total of 28 winners were chosen out of 508 entries.

The award will be presented at this year’s ASLA conference, Nov. 11-14 in San Francisco.

Six-week dog park closure for overseeding and maintenance cancelled

The planned closure to overseed the David H. Ready Palm Springs Dog Park behind City Hall has been cancelled.

The Dog Park had originally been scheduled to close Oct. 28 – Dec. 12, 2022, but is now remaining open.

Community members met with Parks and Recreation Staff and requested the City cancel the annual overseeding -- and instead explore alternative ground cover that would reduce the amount of time needed for overseeding.

“We are listening to our community and keeping the Dog Park open rather than overseeding this year while we look into other maintenance options,” said Yvonne Wise, the City’s Director of Parks and Recreation.

The David H. Ready Palm Springs Dog Park is open from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information, visit palmspringsca.gov.

Check out the digital edition of the Chamber/City magazine "PS I Love You"

To read the latest, click HERE.

City of Palm Springs on Facebook! LIKE Us!

Did you know the City of Palm Springs has a Facebook page? You can get the latest information on upcoming special events, City Council agenda items, meetings, community and economic development and other important Palm Springs news by liking "Palm Springs City Government" on Facebook. 

NEW: The City now has a Facebook page in Spanish. "Like" us by going to "Gobierno Municipal de Palm Springs."