Esperanza Park, opening to the public in March 2025, has accomplished several construction milestones this summer. A construction update was presented to the City Council at the Study Session on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. The City Council unanimously approved the permanent name for the park in May 2024. “Esperanza” means hope in Spanish.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – SEPTEMBER 2024
Site Preparation
- Clearing and grubbing (removal) of unwanted surface material and vegetative matter.
- Over-excavation and soil compaction for the park axillary structures.
- Rough grading and shaping the entire project site.
- Utility coordination between Desert Water Agency (DWA) and Southern California Edison (SCE).
Park Improvements
- Concrete curb and gutter for the north parking lot near Mia Place.
- Concrete slabs for the playground equipment and fitness areas.
- Construction of the 10 feet wide concrete walkway and emergency vehicle path
- Installation of electrical conduit, poles, and light heads for pathway, parking, and monument lighting.
- Perimeter block wall (western portion)
- Perimeter decorative wire fencing (eastern portion)
Park Equipment and Amenities
- Fabric shade structures
- Dog park (Large & Small)
- Fitness area
- Playground equipment
- Hardtop shade structures
- Site furnishing (benches and barbeque pits).
- Exercise equipment have been delivered to the site.
- Romtec (restroom/ storage facility supplier) has obtained approved building plans and permits.
- Construction to begin October 2024.
Park Safety and Security
- Emergency vehicle path
- Security cameras
- Security lighting
The park will sit on 7.5 acres in the Dream Homes neighborhood east of North Gene Autry Trail and north of the Home Depot shopping center on Ramon Road. The neighborhood has been critically underserved and endured many years without a park. Dream Homes is one of the oldest neighborhoods in both Cathedral City and the entire Coachella Valley.
California State Parks awarded Cathedral City nearly $8.5 million of Statewide Park Program grant money for the Esperanza Park Project in 2021.
Amenities for Dream Homes Park will include:
- A Central Plaza and Drop Off Zone
- Children’s Play Areas and Equipment
- Shaded Picnic and Barbeque Areas
- A Shaded Outdoor Fitness Area
- Multi-Use Field
- Soccer Fields
- Basketball Courts
- Large and Small Dog Park
- CV Link Connection
- Parking Lots
- Lighting
- Drought-Tolerant Landscaping and Trees
The new Esperanza Park will also provide more connectivity to the CV Link, a multi-modal corridor now open adjacent to the Dream Homes neighborhood that is planned to extend from Palm Springs to the City of Coachella and the Salton Sea.
Improving the quality of Cathedral City’s outside spaces remains a top priority for the City Council. One of the key components that makes parks and outdoor facilities so special is that they’re free for the public to use and provide memorable gathering places for families and people of all ages and backgrounds.
