Voters to Decide on Measure K on November 8

Cathedral City Voters to Decide on Measure K on November 8

The voters of Cathedral City will be given the opportunity to determine if the Plan for Parks and Recreation Services in Cathedral City will be implemented through their votes on Measure K, which will be on the November 8 general election ballot.

Measure K asks voters the following question:

To provide safe/clean Cathedral City parks and recreation facilities including repairing bathrooms, maintaining safe drinking water, increasing water conservation, improving disabled accessibility; keep afterschool/ senior programs affordable; enhance youth drug/ gang prevention; shall Cathedral City’s measure be adopted levying 15¢ per building square foot annually on single-family residential units, other rates for other land uses ($4,500,000 annually) until ended by voters, authorizing bonds/ appropriation limit of $39,000,000, requiring public spending disclosure, all funds staying local?

The answers to the following frequently asked questions provide additional information about Measure K.

WHAT IS DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT?
Desert Recreation District (DRD) is the largest parks and recreation district in California and serves communities throughout the Coachella Valley. For over 70 years DRD has maintained neighborhood parks, open spaces, community centers, sports fields, pools and provided quality recreational programs for children, families, and seniors. DRD also provides meals, food distribution, emergency shelters, and cooling and warming centers for people in need. More information on the DRD can be found by clicking here.

HOW COULD PARKS AND RECREATION IN CATHEDRAL CITY BE IMPROVED?
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 and recreation programs and services than residents in surrounding communities.

HOW IS DRD PLANNING TO IMPROVE PARKS AND RECREATION IN CATHEDRAL CITY?
Upgrading maintenance of Cathedral City parks to the same standard as DRD parks throughout the region will help maintain safe drinking water at parks, repair deteriorating facilities and improve security lighting and fencing. DRD would also expand community recreational programs and facilities to provide Cathedral City’s 14,000 children and youth after-school, weekend, and holiday programs to keep them engaged in healthy activities, off the streets, and out of trouble. DRD will also operate cooling centers like those offered in other communities for residents without air conditioning or who need a safe place during extreme heat or a natural disaster.

HOW WOULD IMPROVEMENTS TO CATHEDRAL CITY PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS BE FUNDED?
To provide dedicated and locally controlled funding for parks and recreation, Cathedral City has placed a local funding measure on the November 2022 ballot. If approved by voters, a local funding measure to improve Cathedral City’s parks and recreation services would cost property owners 15¢ per building square foot annually on single-family residential units.

HOW WOULD DEDICATED LOCAL FUNDING HELP UPGRADE CATHEDRAL CITY’S PARKS?

A local funding measure would provide a dedicated, locally controlled source of revenue to:

• Provide safe and clean parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities in Cathedral City
• Maintain and improve neighborhood park safety
• Enhance youth drug and gang prevention programs
• Provide affordable after-school and senior programs
• Address homelessness in local parks

WHAT DOES THE FACILITIES PORTION OF THE MEASURE PROVIDE?

The proposal includes $6 million in bond funds for physical improvements to existing parks. This could include new or updated restrooms, fencing and security improvements, ballfield upgrades, replacement of playground equipment as needed, and the addition of new features.

The proposal also includes $33 million for the construction of a community recreation center. This facility will mean there will be a place to provide all the programs, classes, and sports opportunities that DRD will offer for children, youth, adults, and seniors right here in Cathedral City.

More information on the Plan for Parks and Recreation Services in Cathedral City can be found by clicking here.

The presentation materials from the Aug. 3 Council meeting can be found by clicking here:

The Resolution in Support of Parks & Recreation Ballot Measure, passed unanimously by the Council, can be found by clicking here: