Announcements
Upcoming Parks & Recreation Measure for Indio
Important information on the Upcoming Election for Indio Residents
Desert Recreation District is exploring a partnership with the City of Indio to provide well-maintained parks and recreational facilities and programming. Some of the parks and recreational facilities in Indio are aging and in need of repairs to continue providing high-quality recreational opportunities.
The document linked below will give you more information about the local funding measure that was approved by the DRD Board of Directors to be placed on the November 2022 ballot to support safe parks and recreation in Indio.
More Information on Parks & Recreation in Cathedral City
Learn what issues are important to Cathedral City residents and find out more about parks & recreation in your community
Cathedral City is the only Coachella Valley city without its own local parks and recreation department. As a result, local children, families and seniors have access to fewer parks, recreation programs and related services than residents in surrounding communities.
An Update on Parks & Recreation in Indio
We asked and you responded - see what residents had to say!
DRD is proud to partner with the City of Indio to provide parks and recreation facilities and programming. Serving tens of thousands of residents annually, DRD provides after-school and recreational programs that keep local youth and teens off the streets and away from drugs and gangs. DRD is also an essential resource providing meals, food distribution, emergency shelters and cooling centers for local residents.
Cooling Centers Summer 2022
We offer several locations for people to come and cool off during extreme heat.
As the days/hours of operation may vary with the temperatures, please contact the location directly to confirm when they are open:
Jerry Rummonds’ Senior & Community Center in Thermal
87-229 Church Street, Thermal
760-399-1408
Mecca Community Center
65-250 Coahuilla Street, Mecca
760-396-0257
North Shore Beach & Yacht Club
99-155 Sea View Drive, North Shore
760-391-1201
Palm Desert Community Center
43-900 San Pablo Avenue, Palm Desert
760-568-9196
Cathedral City Residents – Please Take our Community Survey
Let us know your Park & Recreation priorities!
Take the ENGLISH survey here.
Realice la encuesta en ESPAÑOL aquí.
Cathedral City and Desert Recreation District are exploring a
partnership that would allow DRD to upgrade the condition of
local parks, keep them well maintained and offer improved parks
and recreation services to Cathedral City children, families and
seniors.
City of Indio Residents – Please Take our Community Survey
Let us know your Park & Recreation priorities!
Take the ENGLISH survey
here.
Realice la encuesta en ESPAÑOL aquí.
DRD is proud to partner with the City of Indio to provide
well-maintained parks and recreational facilities and
programming. Indio has 14 parks serving tens of thousands of
residents annually. DRD is also an essential resource providing
meals, food distribution, emergency shelters and cooling and
warming centers for residents.
Mecca Avenue 66 Bridge – Ribbon Cutting
Join a community celebration on March 12 with performances, light refreshments & fun for kids!
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony begins at 11 a.m. on March 12, 2022
Please park in the Mecca Boys & Girls Club parking lot at 91391
66th Avenue, Mecca
and use the free shuttle service or walk to the event on the
bridge.
Restrooms available inside the Boys & Girls Club.
For additional information: 877-283-0066
Ave66project.com
Masks no longer required indoors for those vaccinated
New guidelines from CA Dept. of Public Health are effective February 16, 2022
The California Department of Public Health has issued new guidelines regarding masks/face coverings – please see the notice from the CA Department of Public Health for full details. DRD will follow the guidelines and as such, those who are vaccinated are not required to wear a mask or face covering, and those who are not vaccinated will be required to do so in our indoor facilities. Thank you.
Desert Recreation District open and following State and County Guidelines for COVID-19 protocols
As guidelines can change at any time, please click the link below for current County Public Health guidelines.
As you may be aware, on June 15, 2021, the state of California modified the restrictions on activities. In addition, Riverside County Public Health issues guidelines that we follow as an agency and you can click here to access the most up-to-date information issued by Riverside County Public Health. We have also provided the document issued on June 15, 2021 for your reference. Thank you.
Desert Recreation District Announces Indoor Programming Reopening April 15, 2021
After a year of outdoor and online programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic and following restrictions, DRD is thrilled to welcome residents and guests back to indoor activities.
Please note you may see the following as you return to our
facilities:
· At this time, masks
will still be required to be worn.
· We may have to limit
the number of participants to smaller, socially distanced
groups.
· If the number of
COVID-19 cases were to increase, we may have to move classes from
one space or room to a different location to allow more space
between attendees.
Fritz Burns Pool Reopens March 1, 2021
Fritz Burns Pool will offer activities following industry standards and will be aligned with public health requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the available activities on the PDF or by clicking the link to our Swim & Water section.
Register or learn more about each aquatic program here.
Thermal Community Park Design Process – January & February 2021
With input of Thermal residents, the theme and focus of the park has been decided and amenities and programs discussed. Now the final concept plan is underway - please click the PDF to learn more.
HOLIDAY AND OUTDOOR EVENTS HAPPENING AT DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT
With the Winter Holidays upon us, we have a variety of activities and events for the family.
Click here to see Christmas and even a few Healthy New Year’s – New You events/classes/activities we have planned. We also have some socially-distanced outdoor sports and recreation classes, too, so step outside and enjoy our great Fall and Winter weather in the Desert.
DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT IS HOSTING FALL EVENTS
This Halloween and the whole Fall season may look different than usual, but we will be hosting some fun-filled activities for the whole family!
Click here to see some of the events we have planned, and check back soon as we are adding more activities every few days. We will host some socially-distanced outdoor activities, too, so as the weather cools down, come play with us!
Desert Recreation District Continues Preparations for Resuming Operations
While we have had to slow down the resumption of operations due to recent changes in COVID-19 cases, we are continuing to prepare to welcome guests back
Safety of our staff, participants, volunteers and guests has been our top priority, and continues to be as we move forward in preparing our facilities and training staff on new protocols and procedures. Due to the rapidly-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have to adjust the timing and manner of programming for the near future.
New Update from Desert Recreation District
Working towards reopening in upcoming weeks
DRD is working to get the restrooms at the parks reopened as soon as possible after June 12, the date approved by the County and State, and then we are targeting opening our four fitness centers – Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert and North Shore – in the next few weeks, with our programs such as day camps shortly thereafter.
Important Information for Indio Residents
Providing Clean, Safe Parks and Recreational Activities for Indio Residents
DRD is working to address challenges to ensure clean, safe parks and recreational programs into the future as current facilities are aging, and demand for programs is over capacity as the community continues to grow. You can read more below on the Fact Sheet, and click HERE to take our online survey TODAY and tell us your priorities for DRD services in Indio.
Local Resident Wins Outstanding Volunteer 2016 Award By CARPD
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
The California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD) has awarded its Outstanding Volunteer of the Year 2016 award to Andrea Owad. Read more …
Leaders In Training Teens Tour KESQ Station
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Teens enrolled in the Leaders In Training Program offered by The Desert Recreation District recently toured behind the scenes and observed the Noon News live at KESQ, the ABC affiliate for the Palm Springs television market. Read more …