Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 2.A
Meeting Date: August 13, 2025
From: John A. Corella, Director of Public Works
Title: Desert Recreation District Introductory Presentation and Update on Initial Progress
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is presented for information and discussion only; no formal action is required.
BACKGROUND:
Cathedral City has approved an agreement with the Desert Recreation District (DRD) to provide comprehensive park maintenance and recreational programming, reinforcing the city’s commitment to high-quality community services.
Effective July 1, 2025, DRD assumed responsibility for maintaining six city parks and began offering a diverse array of recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. The agreement was made possible by the successful passage of Measure W, which passed with strong voter support at 74%, ensuring Cathedral City residents can now access DRD’s full suite of programs at in-district rates. These offerings include art classes, youth and adult sports leagues, seasonal events, and more.
DRD will manage and maintain several key community parks: Dennis Keat Soccer Park, Panorama Park, Ocotillo Park, Century Park, Esperanza Park, and Patriot Park.
In addition, the city’s popular summer swim program at Cathedral City High School will continue under DRD’s leadership, ensuring uninterrupted access to this well-loved community resource.
DISCUSSION:
Under the agreement between Cathedral City and the Desert Recreation District (DRD), the following services and responsibilities were designated to DRD:
Overall parks and recreation administration.
Overseeing the maintenance and supervision of park interiors. Providing Cathedral City residents access to DRD facilities, programs, and classes located outside city limits at in-district rates.
Coordinating and delivering recreational programming—including classes, leagues, and other activities—within Cathedral City parks and available facilities. Managing operations, scheduling, and reservations for Cathedral City parks, including Panorama Park, Century Park, Dennis Keat Soccer Park, Ocotillo Park, Esperanza Park, and Patriot Park.
Staffing and operating the summer swim program at Cathedral City High School.
Below is an update on park maintenance and programming as of July 1, 2025.
DRD Maintenance
DRD assumed responsibility for the maintenance of the following parks:
1. Dennis Keat Soccer Park
2. Esperanza Park
3. Panorama Park
4. Ocotillo Park
5. Century Park
6. Patriot Park (only trash/BBQ/table maintenance). Turf and trees are maintained under separate contract with Big League Dreams.
Frequency Task
Daily Restroom duties, trash can service, park amenities upkeep, playground/fitness equipment inspections, blow hardscapes, debris removal.
Weekly Landscape maintenance: remove weeds, rake, irrigation check, power wash hardscape.
Bi-Weekly Lawn mowing.
Monthly Site inspections.
Annually Tree and palm tree trimming, turf renovation.
As Needed Field and shelter reservations.
Notable Changes
At the start of the transition, some areas requiring attention were identified, such as turf maintenance and trash receptacle clean up. These issues were promptly addressed to prevent any ongoing impact.
To support turf revitalization, DRD has increased water output across all parks. Public Works staff will closely monitor water usage and billing to ensure continued alignment with our water conservation objectives.
DRD Programming
Since assuming operations, DRD has launched several recreational programs. Cathedral City events are held throughout the city, utilizing several facilities and parks, as seen below:
Location Program Date
Cathedral City High School Pool Swim Lessons On-going
Dennis Keat Soccer Park Splash Bash Friday, July 18th
Esperanza Park Ice Cream Arts & Crafts Wednesday, July 16th Century Park Ice Cream Arts & Crafts Wednesday, July 23rd Panorama Park Ice Cream Arts & Crafts Wednesday, July 30th Ocotillo Park Back to School Skate
Jam
Upcoming- Saturday
September 20th
DRD is actively developing future programming to ensure offerings are inclusive and serve all age groups and activity levels. Attached is the DRD Program Guide for May- August 2025, which highlights a variety of activities held throughout the Coachella Valley and the proposed class offerings for later in the fall. These examples reflect the types of programs DRD aims to continue incorporating into Cathedral City's recreation offerings.
DRD is working closely with the city’s Communications and Events staff to provide additional programming and resources for some of the city’s ongoing events, such as Snow Fest and Spooktacular.
DRD will also be an active participant in the site assessment process to determine the future location of a community center in Cathedral City. The DRD has data on construction and operational costs for other community centers which will help inform the financial analysis for the Cathedral City center.
Success Metrics
In accordance with the agreement, DRD is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of services and ensuring community satisfaction. To support ongoing performance evaluation, the city will independently collect data through regular inspections, resident feedback, and internal reporting. These findings will be compared with DRD’s reported metrics to ensure alignment and continuous improvement. The following key performance indicators (KPIs) will be used to measure success:
Community Participation Numbers.
Safety Incidents.
Satisfaction Surveys.
Park Condition Assessments.
Community Feedback Sessions.
By implementing these success metrics, DRD and Cathedral City are committed to a transparent, data-driven approach that supports continuous improvement. This framework will help ensure that the integration of Cathedral City into DRD’s service area meaningfully enhances the recreational experience for all residents and visitors.
DRD Representatives
DRD staff members Cynthia Morquecho, Scott Sear, and Robert Hoppe are anticipated to attend this Study Session meeting and will provide an update on initial maintenance efforts and recreational programs under this new partnership.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is presented for information and discussion only; no formal action is required.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal B: Community Investment
Objective: Cathedral City roads, gateways, public spaces, and other infrastructure are well planned, designed, constructed, and maintained.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. DRD Program Guide May-August 2025
2. DRD Proposed Fall Offerings