Project Objectives

Project EverGreen, members of the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) and the City of Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Department are teaming up on Monday, January 23, 2025 at Demuth Park to give the park’s baseball diamonds makeover.

The goal of the renovation project is to provide the park and community with safe, well-maintained, and accessible ballfields and recreation space they can call their own.

About Demuth Park

Demuth Park is not only the largest park in the City of Palm Springs but also the most frequently used for youth and adult activities. The park has a rich history, being established through the generosity of a single donor, and it’s affectionately known as the Veteran’s Track due to the many Filipino veterans who settled in the community after the war. With its proximity to a local elementary school, the park is a vital recreational space for children, and it hosts a range of facilities including a dog parks, pickleball courts, softball/baseball fields, soccer fields, and a tennis court. Ensuring that these facilities are well-maintained and improved is crucial for the City of Palm Springs to  serve its community.

Scope of Work

• Establishing the radius on all 4 fields at 60 feet from the front of the pitching rubbers.
• Removing all grass and/or topsoil from inside the 60-foot radius.
• Removing any existing infield mix from beyond the 60-foot radius.
• Supply and install infield mix and/or topsoil to establish the infield skin surface and infield perimeter.
• Supply and install Bermuda sod overseeded with Perennial Ryegrass to establish the 60-foot radius.
• Supply, install and grade infield mix to cut high areas and fill low areas.
• Supply and install new pitching rubbers, home plates and base sets at the required distances, alignment and elevations.
• Supply and install mound clay to reinforce the home plate batter’s boxes and pitching areas.
• Supply and spread 1 ton of Conditioner on each infield.
• Groom ready for play.
• Irrigation repairs will include installing or adjusting heads for the 60-foot radius and/or new heads for the remainder of the turf area in the outfields.

Why are Well Maintained, Healthy and Safe Baseball Fields Important to Communities and the Environment?

Healthy, well-maintained baseball fields are more than just sports venues; they are critical assets for community development and environmental sustainability. By investing in their upkeep, communities can ensure a lasting impact on physical health, social cohesion, and ecological balance. Baseball fields and other athletic/recreation green spaces are vital to communities and the environment for multiple reasons. They serve not only as recreational spaces but also as contributors to environmental sustainability, community well-being, and safety.

Ensuring Safety for Players and Spectators

• Preventing Injuries: Proper maintenance, including level playing surfaces, adequate drainage, and regularly mowed grass, minimizes risks such as trips, falls, and other injuries.
• Safe Equipment Use: Upkeep of fences, dugouts, bases, and other field equipment ensures they meet safety standards, reducing hazards for players and spectators.
• Lighting and Visibility: Good lighting and clear field markings enhance visibility, especially for evening games, improving safety for players and fans alike.

Providing Environmental Benefits 

• Air Quality Improvement: Grass fields act as natural air filters, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen while trapping dust and pollutants.
• Heat Reduction: Natural turf surfaces help lower local temperatures, mitigating urban heat island effects.
• Water Management: Properly maintained fields aid in managing rainwater runoff, reducing the risk of flooding and soil erosion.
• Biodiversity: Fields with integrated landscaping can support local flora and fauna, contributing to ecosystem health.

Fostering Community Engagement and Unity

• Gathering Spaces: Baseball fields provide a central hub where people of all ages come together for games, practices, and events, fostering a sense of community.
• Youth Development: They offer a safe environment for children and teenagers to engage in physical activity, learn teamwork, and build social skills.
• Events and Celebrations: Beyond sports, these fields often host community events, further strengthening local bonds.

Promoting Physical and Mental Health

• Encouraging Active Lifestyles: Access to well-kept fields motivates people to participate in sports and outdoor activities, combating sedentary lifestyles and related health issues.
• Mental Health Benefits: Being in green spaces and engaging in sports can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall mental well-being.

Economic Benefits

• Attracting Events: Well-maintained fields can host tournaments and other events, boosting local tourism and supporting small businesses.
• Property Value: Quality recreational facilities enhance neighborhood appeal and can increase property values.

Educational and Leadership Opportunities

• Skill Building: Baseball fields provide a platform for learning sportsmanship, leadership, and discipline through organized play.
• Community Programs: Fields often serve as venues for outreach and educational programs, promoting inclusivity and skill development.

Project EverGreen’s Impact

Parks, lawns, landscapes and maintained green spaces help to mitigate temperature increases in communities and significantly reduce energy use and cooling costs. Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Communities initiative has made a significant impact. Since 2008, Project EverGreen and its partners have renovated community parks and public green spaces totaling more than 200 million square feet of living green space.

Through its nationwide base of professional volunteers, Project EverGreen has connected people, plants, and their communities to maximize the health of grass, plants, and trees, which in turn sequesters carbon and cleans the air. The initiative supports healthy green spaces in neighborhoods and cities, enabling maintained green spaces to function as the lungs of the city and offsetting the negative effects of a warming environment.