The Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Commission recommended City Council approval of a 60-by-100-foot fitness court design for Ruth Hardy Park after a Nov. 24 presentation by staff.

Staff said the Measure J project, proposed by a community organization, would include rubberized surfacing and a hip-style shade structure intended primarily for exercise classes and reservations. The commission heard that the proposed layout is intended to complement the nearby playground and will use the same vendor as the current playground project to achieve economies of scale.

Commissioners asked how the space would be reserved and what safeguards would prevent unauthorized evening use or vandalism. Staff said reservations would follow the city’s current fee schedule and rental application process, and that park rangers, maintenance staff and police would increase patrols and signage to educate users and enforce permitted uses. Staff also said there will be no lighting built into the shade structure itself; ADA access improvements from adjacent paths were under consideration.

A motion to recommend approval of the design to City Council was made, seconded and approved unanimously on a roll-call vote. Staff said the item will proceed to the Council agenda for final action on Dec. 10.

Next steps: staff will provide construction timing at the commission’s January meeting and the council will consider the project on Dec. 10; staff said a finalized construction schedule is expected to be available in January.