Neighborhood Organizations Expand Boundaries to Include More People. Today there are 17 officially recognized neighborhoods -- and three of them have recently expanded their boundaries to include more residents than ever before.
Neighorhoods give residents a sense of belonging, a sense of community
identity. They serve as gathering places, as focal points, and as building blocks
of a community.
Contact: Cindy Uken
Communications Director
City of Palm Springs
760.323.8250
March 20, 2008
Neighorhoods give residents a sense of belonging, a sense of community
identity. They serve as gathering places, as focal points, and as building blocks
of a community.
And since the City of Palm Springs created, by Ordinance, the Office of
Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) in April 2005, neighborhoods have grown in
popularity – and in the strength of their collective voice. Neighborhood
organizations have enhanced the two-way communication between the City
and its residents.
Neighborhood organizations provide residents a place to share their ideas,
thoughts, and work cooperatively to make their neighborhood a better place to
live.
To that end, today, there are 17 officially recognized neighborhoods – and three
of them have recently expanded their boundaries to include more residents
than ever before.
The two most recent Neighborhood Organizations to expand their boundaries
are: Desert Park Estates Neighborhood Organization and The Sunrise-Vista
Chino Neighborhood Coalition. The Baristo Neighborhood Organization
expanded its boundaries in December, less than five months after it organized,
so more residents could be included.
“There is no doubt residents recognize the value of being able to participate in
the ONI,” said Lee Husfeldt, Director of Neighborhood and Community
Relations. “In less than three years since the City Council passed the ordinance
establishing the ONI, we've grown both in number and in size. We've more than
doubled the number of neighborhood organizations, going from eight that first
year to 17 now. And we've also grown by having existing neighborhood
organizations expand their boundaries so more people can participate and
become involved.”
Desert Park Estates extended its western boundary from Cerritos to Sunrise.
The neighborhood now goes from Farrell to Sunrise and from Racquet Club
Road to Joyce Drive (and adjacent cul-de-sacs of Guy Circle, Greg Circle and
Jan Circle).
The Sunrise-Vista Chino Neighborhood Coalition expanded to include The
Colony of El Mirador. This neighborhood now consists of The Colony of El
Mirador (HOA); Ranch Club Estates (HOA); Desert Aids Project; Sagewood
(HOA) and Sunrise Racquet Club (HOA).
The ONI, a City office, is a vehicle for encouraging citizen involvement in
service delivery and improving communication among citizens, City staff and
elected officials.
The Palm Springs Neighborhood Involvement Committee (PSNICthe City Manager and staff to address matters of concern to citizens and other
neighborhood interests. The PSNIC is comprised of elected representatives of
Neighborhood Organizations that have become officially recognized by the City
through an application process.
The benefits of a Neighborhood Organization include:
• A community of people who know and look out for one another
• A place for bringing people together to socialize and address common concerns
• A collective voice to advocate for neighborhood interests and concerns
• A recognized entity that works with city government to access resources and resolve issues affecting neighborhood character and quality of life
• A communication conduit that exchanges information and knowledge
Palm Springs residents who are interested in organizing their neighborhoods
should call Husfeldt at 323-8255.
