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Thursday, April 30 | ☀️ 93°/67°
Happy Thursday! If you still see some traffic this weekend, no, there’s not another festival in town, but there is some regular old city roadwork happening. Starting this morning at 6 a.m., expect intermittent closures on Avenue 44 between Aztec and Apache Streets for pavement repairs through 6 p.m. We also have ongoing work on Jackson Street from Market Street to Kenner Avenue happening each night from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. until tomorrow.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Les Fleurs" by Minnie Riperton
Leading Off
The city broke ground on the project two years ago in May 2024. (Photo: City of Indio)
Indio to open 30-acre sports park on May 16
Indio will celebrate the grand opening of its long-awaited 30-acre sports complex on May 16, marking the city's 96th with a public event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Driving the news: The facility at 82600 Market St. opens Phase 1 with 11 soccer fields for various age groups, one professional-grade field that can also accommodate football, two baseball and softball fields, a perimeter walking path, restrooms, a concession stand, and shade structures with barbecues and picnic tables.
How it got here: Construction faced delays tied to global supply chain disruptions as specifically custom-made electrical components that experienced significant shipping delays before being installed by the Imperial Irrigation District.
By the numbers: Phase 1 was funded through an $8.5 million grant from the state's Park, Environment and Water Bond Act of 2018 — Proposition 68 — which the city matched.
What they're saying: "What we did was focus on what the community told us were their priorities, and clearly, overwhelmingly, it was for outdoor play areas, specifically soccer fields and lighted baseball fields," said Donn Uyeno, the city's principal civil engineer, a year ago in a presentation the Community Services Commission.
What's next: The Desert Recreation District is slated to manage the facility and handle field reservations. Future phases — pending funding amid state budget shifts — would expand the park to the west and add pickleball and tennis courts, a skate park, a splash pad, and dog parks.
Briefly
City officials held a ribbon cutting this week to celebrate the completion of modernization to the Indio Badlands trailhead.
🥾 Indio completes Badlands Trailhead upgrades
Get your hiking boots on, because updates to the Indio Badlands Trailhead have officially completed. If you’ve done the five-mile-long hike lately, you’ve noticed a lot of activity at the beginning of the trailhead where crews were hard at work modernizing the spot with 35 more parking spaces to address overcrowding.
Also added were 45 trees, landscaping, solar lighting, and a new walking path for a more defined entrance.
Indio officials held a ribbon cutting and explained the solar-powered lighting was installed as part of the sustainability-focused renovation.
Bottom line: All new amenities are now open to the public at the trailhead, which draws hikers seeking unique views of the valley. It might not have the height of more well-known local trails, but this one is right in our backyard and still offers an accessible but still challenging hike.
♻️ Free household waste collection event this weekend
It’s almost summer, but it’s not too late to get some spring cleaning done. Stop by the Indio Water Authority/Corporate Yard this Saturday for a free Sustainability Collection event.
Drop off your tires (off the rim), used oil and oil filters, e-waste, batteries, light bulbs, and plastic bags all for free. Residents can also take advantage of on-site paper shredding for up to four boxes of documents, but please remember that this free event is for Indio residents only and commercial waste will not be accepted.
Of note: Since this is not an event for hazardous waste, stuff like paint, automotive fluids, garden chemicals, and healthcare sharps will not be accepted. If you’re wondering if your waste counts as “hazardous” contact [email protected] at the city for more information.
📅 Featured events
"The Crucible"
Today through Sunday | Desert TheatreWorks
It’s the final weekend to see a performance of Arthur Miller's Salem witch trials drama, directed by Lance Phillips and starring Tess Phillips as Abigail Williams. The production features lyrical movement and immersive staging. ($47)
Community Days – Free Admission to the Museum
Saturday through Sunday | Coachella Valley History Museum
The first full weekend of the month brings free admission and free community programming. Saturday, come to a speaker series hosted by Inez Tennebaum from San Marcos Date Farm at 10 a.m. On Sunday, enjoy a free community yoga session at 1 p.m.
Riverside County District 4 Budget Community Workshop
Today | 5:30 p.m. | Coachella Valley Water District
Riverside County invites District 4 residents to attend a community budget workshop, part of a series held across all five supervisorial districts.
Folds of Honor Charity Golf Tournament
Friday | 7 a.m. | Shadow Hills Golf Club
Shadow Hills Golf Club hosts a Folds of Honor charity tournament in foursome best ball scramble format, followed by a lunch and awards reception. ($225 per player)
Japanese City Pop on Vinyl
Friday | 6 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
A curated vinyl night featuring shimmering Japanese city pop and disco-funk from the '70s and '80s.
Red Hot Cholo Peppers
Friday | 7 p.m. | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Red Hot Cholo Peppers with Rock Stallion perform at the Rock Yard, an always-free, always-outdoor venue. 18+
City of Indio Sustainability Collection Event
Saturday | 9 a.m. | Indio Water Authority/Corporate Yard
Indio residents can safely dispose of tires, used oil, e-waste, household batteries, lightbulbs, plastic bags, and paper shredding (limit 4 boxes). No commercial waste.
Really Really Free Market
Saturday | 1 p.m. | Indio Public Library
The Coachella Valley Community Action Group hosts a community free market — bring gently used clothing, food, toiletries, or household goods to share, and take whatever you need at no cost. No donation required.
Kentucky Derby Viewing Party
Saturday | 2:30 p.m. | Tackroom Tavern
Tackroom Tavern hosts a Kentucky Derby viewing party with $10 cocktail specials including mint juleps, Kentucky mule, and Woodford Spire, plus a best hat contest. 21+
Cars & Coffee
Sunday | 8 a.m. | Indio Taphouse
A morning car meet featuring complimentary coffee from McQueen Coffee, DJ music by Alf Alpha, a donation drive benefiting Bridges2Hope, and adoptable dogs from the DHS Animal Shelter.
Matassa Wine Tasting and DJ Set
Sunday | 6 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
Rosemary HiFi hosts a Matassa wine tasting featuring three wines, followed by a DJ set by Jonathan & Krys spanning Cocteau Twins to Ying Yang Twins. ($30)
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📣 And Finally …
Recipients from Amistad HIgh School (top left), Indio High School (right) and Shadow Hills High School (bottom) receive their academic awards.
Desert Sands Unified School District students earned spots among Riverside County's best and brightest at the 20th Annual Student Academic Awards, hosted by the Riverside County Office of Education.
The honorees: A total of 166 students from 86 high schools across the county were celebrated, 11 of them came from DSUSD, including five students from Indio.
Jolina Munoz from Amistad High School was honored, Lorena Magaña and Flor Perez-Mendoza were both honored for Indio High School, and Emma Aguilar and Lorenzo Uriarte represented the Shadow Hill’s Knights at the ceremony.
What they’re saying: “These students are living proof of the Riverside County Office of Education pledge that ensures our graduates are prepared for college, the workforce, and civic responsibility,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. “These top scholars and leaders are a shining example of why the future is bright for our region, state, and nation.”
Why it matters: The annual awards recognize academic dedication and perseverance among the county's top high school seniors.
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