The City of La Quinta is preparing to begin a restoration project on one of the ponds at its popular Civic Center Park, and officials are assuring residents that all wildlife will be protected throughout the process.
The project involves draining the lower of the park’s two interconnected lakes in order to repair a biofilter located at the bottom. While the pond was never intended to be a wildlife habitat, over the years it has become home to several turtles and fish—raising concerns among residents about their safety during the upcoming work.
Tony from the City of La Quinta joined NBC Palm Springs to explain the plan. He says the city is working with a wildlife organization to rehome the turtles to private residences. Meanwhile, the fish will be moved temporarily to the upper lake, which will be equipped with a temporary filtration system while repairs are underway.
“We’ll take all the processes needed to ensure their safety,” Tony said. “This will be handled with care.”
The work is expected to begin in about three weeks and take approximately three to four weeks to complete.
Officials are hoping this proactive communication helps ease public concern, especially after a similar issue sparked controversy last year. The city’s message this time is clear: the wildlife is being looked after.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
April 16, 2025
