Palm Springs Dog Park Re-opens May 23rd

PALM SPRINGS — In another move toward returning to some semblance of normalcy, the city is reopening its popular, 1.6-acre dog park today, Saturday, May 23rd.

The park was closed earlier this year to help thwart the spread of COVID-19.

The park is located behind City Hall at 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. It is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Palm Springs Dog Park features fenced-in rolling grass with fire hydrants, dual purpose canine/human drinking fountains, picnic tables and benches made from recycled materials, solar lighting and shade structures. Dogs may run and play leash-free.

There is a separate play area for small dogs. “Desert Reflections” the artistic fence designed and built by artist Phill Evans is double-gated for safety.

In addition to re-opening the dog park, the city has now opened trailhead parking.

Users will be required to practice social distancing, at least six feet apart, and wear face coverings.

In early April, Riverside County issued an order that parks and trails are to only be accessible to people who live within walking distance. At the time of  the order, parking lots at Palm Springs hiking trails were already closed.

The re-openings comes as residents celebrate Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start of summer.

They also coincide Riverside County receiving approval from the state for accelerated reopening, Board of Supervisors Chair V. Manuel Perez announced at a news conference on Friday, May 22.

This means restaurants can now open for dine-in service, and venues such as shopping malls, strip malls and swap meets are allowed to reopen, Perez explained. It’s the second phase in the second stage of California’s reopening plan.