Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]