New Palm Springs Park Receives Mixed Reaction

Palm Springs officials opened a new park Thursday at the southwest corner of Vista Chino and Gene Autry Trail.

But, Darren and Angela Bachtel crashed the party by holding a sign that read “$1.4 million?” at that same intersection.

“We were looking for change we could believe in,” said Darren Bachtel, of Cathedral City. “They spent $60,000 on that [welcome] sign and $1.4 million in this park.”

The money spent on the park was federal stimulus money for which the city applied. Councilman Rick Hutcheson described these funds as ”use ’em or lose ’em” funds.

“The $2 million sent to Riverside County was specifically limited to projects that improved the environment and aesthetics of transportation,” he said. “If this money had not been spent for this purpose, it would’ve been lost to the county or lost to another city.”

The park takes up nearly two acres adjacent to the El Rancho Vista Estates neighborhood. It has benches, desert landscaping and two bocce ball courts.

Erik Rosenow, who moved into the neighborhood last year, said he loves the park and believes it will revitalize the community.

News Channel 3 asked him whether the absence of a parking lot will be a concern.

“It was a concern for some neighbors,” he said. “But, I don’t necessarily see people coming in from out of town. It’s more of a community park for locals walking to it…and enjoying it.”

But, John Tymon, has a complaint about the park. “Accessibility, the lack therof,” he said. Tymon, who ran for city council and for mayor several times, said he would use the park if there was better access to it.

Only time will tell if the park will be put to good use or end up being another example of government money wasted.

“It’s being spent foolishly,” said protester Angela Bachtel. “We could be fixing potholes.”

A city spokesperson says the park created 20 jobs during construction.