Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) is a nonprofit association of officially recognized neighborhood organizations in Palm Springs, California.[1]
Established in 2005 by the Palm Springs City Council, ONE-PS functions as a coordinating body linking neighborhood representatives with city officials. As of 2025, ONE-PS includes 52 neighborhood organizations.[2]
History
In 2005, the Palm Springs City Council created the Office of Neighborhood Improvement to formalize the relationship with informal neighborhood groups and provide a process for official recognition.[3][4] The initiative was initially named the Palm Springs Neighborhood Involvement Committee (PSNIC),[4][5][6] which started with eight neighborhoods.[4][5]
By 2012, the number of city-recognized neighborhood organizations had increased to 32.[5] In 2015, Palm Springs City Council amended chapter 2.55 of the City's Municipal Code to rename PSNIC to Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS), and the organization became its own legal entity.[7] The change formalized ONE-PS's role as the coordinating body for the city's recognized neighborhood organizations.[4] By 2024, ONE-PS included 52 recognized neighborhoods.[3]
ONE-PS is also a member of the national organization Neighborhoods USA (NUSA).[4]
Organization and relationship with the city
ONE-PS operates as a network of neighborhood-based organizations, each represented by a delegate.[8] The organization meets regularly with neighborhood representatives and city officials to discuss municipal issues affecting local residents.[8]
Although independent from the City of Palm Springs, ONE-PS collaborates with the City's Office of Neighborhoods, which coordinates official communication with neighborhood organizations, and provides administrative support for community programs.[3] ONE-PS is governed by a board of directors elected from the neighborhood representatives.[9] City officials have stated that ONE-PS provides a valuable channel for neighborhood input.[10]
Activities
ONE-PS and its member neighborhoods organize community programs and events in partnership with the city. Since 2008, the organization has hosted an annual Picnic & Community Expo in collaboration with the city. The event includes informational booths from city departments, local organizations and neighborhood groups. The 16th annual event was held on March 22, 2025.[11][12]
Blade sign of El Rancho Vista Estates, a neighborhood in Palm Springs, California
ONE-PS worked with the city to implement a neighborhood identification sign program that places unique "blade signs" marking the boundaries of the recognized neighborhoods.[13]
The organization publishes the ONE-PS Guide to Palm Springs Neighborhoods, a directory of the city's recognized neighborhoods.[14] The guide received first-place in the printed publication category at the 2017 Neighborhoods USA’s awards.[14]
Member neighborhoods, through ONE-PS, organize community improvement projects such as community clean-ups,[4] "little library" book exchanges,[15] and public safety initiatives in cooperation with the Palm Springs Police Department.[16]
Color guard leads the way during black history parade
ONE-PS also participates in community events and celebrations, including the annual Black History Month Parade and Fair, Veterans Day Parade, and the Palm Springs Festival of Lights parade.[17] The organization has also collaborated with Modernism Week to provide guided tours of historic Palm Springs neighborhoods highlighting the city's historic architecture.[18]
Neighborhoods USA collaboration
In 2019, Palm Springs hosted the annual Neighborhoods USA "Opening Doors to the Future" conference.[16] The event included workshops and presentations focused on leading practices in community engagement and neighborhood development.[16]
Awards
ONE-PS has received recognition from NUSA for several of its programs and initiatives:
2019: Finalist in the "Neighborhood of the Year" awards, in the category of "Social Revitalization - Single Neighborhood" for the Black History Parade & Fair.[19]
2017: First place in the "Best Neighborhood Newsletter Competition" awards, in the category of "Non-Profit Agency Printed" for the ONE-PS Guide to Palm Springs Neighborhoods.[20]
2016: Third place in the "Best Neighborhood Program Award", in the category of "Physical Revitalization" for the Clinton Day of Action Orchard Planning and Beautification.[21]
2015: Third place in the "Best Neighborhood Newsletter Competition", in the category of "Electronic Division" for the ONE-PS Guide to Palm Springs Neighborhoods.[22]
2014: Third place in the "Best Neighborhood Program Award" for the Annual Neighborhood Picnic & Community Expo.[23]
2014: Fourth place in the "Best Neighborhood Program Award" for the Identification Blade Sign Program.[23]
2014: Gold in the "Best Neighborhood Newsletter Competition", in the category of "Electronic Format" received by the Los Compadres Neighborhood Organization.[24]
2014: Gold in the "Best Neighborhood Newsletter Competition", in the category of "Electronic Format" received by the Tahquitz River Estates Neighborhood Organization.[24]
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