Prescott Preserve​ - The Restoration Plan

The lawsuit is still ongoing, but we are in communication and in negotiation with the plaintiff. We have no information at this time on when any type of settlement or trial may or may not occur.

Our vision is a preserve that is enjoyed by both humans and wildlife. We are not trying to create another Demuth Park or Ruth Hardy Park. Palm Springs already has this type of recreation area. Instead, we are trying to create a "Central Preserve" for wildlife and people. Planting thousands of native trees, shrubs and other plants is one of our first priorities. Picture a nature oasis and sanctuary in the heart of Palm Springs that can be used by people and wildlife. Please scroll through this page to see photos as illustrations showing our vision. Some of the more specific ideas include enhanced vegetation around the ponds for nesting birds and migratory birds, evaluating the option of adding additional ponds, a butterfly garden, a celebration woodland and more!

Prescott Preserve is private property owned by the Oswit Land Trust and open to the public from dawn until dusk. We allow public access in designated areas and welcome hikers on all paths, and bikes and leashed dogs on multi-use path (see below). Guests are required to stay on a designated trail.

The best place to park is on Farrell Street, which gives you access to both sides of the Preserve. At this time, the Preserve does not have an official parking lot.

We have posted general information about Rules for Visiting Prescott Preserve. Please visit Our Lands to learn more. Oswit Land Trust Rangers and Trail Ambassadors are present daily at our properties. Rangers and Trail Ambassadors make sure that our visitors follow Rules for Visiting and that wildlife is safe and protected. Rangers enforce Rules for Visiting and write Safety Report Cards. Visitors who break Rules for Visiting are subject to receiving Official Ban / No Trespassing Letter. We take the safety and security of guests, staff, volunteers and wildlife very seriously.

Oswit Land Trust Rangers and Trail Ambassadors are present daily at our properties.

All are welcome to stroll on our trails. No one is permitted to break the rules, which includes no camping overnight, being off trail or being in wildlife areas. Prescott Preserve is private property and all rules are enforced.

Coyotes have been natives of North America for thousands of years and are residents of our very own Prescott Preserve. They have lived here before it was a golf course, when it was a golf course, and now as a preserve. Please be respectful of their space. Follow the guidelines below to learn how to keep wildlife and your pets safe. Dogs are allowed on the multi-use path only (see below).

• Coyotes may follow behind dog-walkers for short distance. If you are uncomfortable in the presence of coyotes, pick up small dogs and shorten the leash of a large dog, and calmly exit the area.
• Noise makers may be used to scare off a coyote but ONLY if they are approaching. It is ineffective to use them from a distance.
• No dogs off leash, EVER. This is in violation of Preserve rules and local laws.
• No harassing of wildlife, do not allow dogs to chase or intervene in any way. Same for goes for people. This is a violation of state law.
• Keep dogs on SHORT leashes, 6' or less and close to your body. This keeps everyone safe. No retractable leashes on the Preserve.

Through our planning grants, we brought in not only a restoration and environmental company, but we also brought in local scientists to advise on the best way to restore this land. A common suggestion was that we include large boulders in the restoration as they are critical for wildlife. Because many companies that sell rocks and boulders go into the mountains and take them, we did not want to acquire boulders from an unethical source. We found a local developer who was going to be disposing of local boulders (sourced just a few miles from the Preserve) and was willing to give them to us for free. Unfortunately, because of the lawsuit, we are unable to immediately distribute the boulders to different parts of the Preserve. Notably, within 24 hours of the boulders arriving at the property squirrels, lizards, birds, and others were using them either to rest on, hide behind or seek shade. During the restoration process, the boulders will be distributed in a way that will look more natural.

Yes. Contact David Paisley at DavidP@OswitLandTrust.org to be part of a small group tour.

We have lots of opportunities to get involved in Prescott Preserve restoration process or within our organization! If you’d like to become a volunteer, submit the following Volunteer Registration Card to be added to our volunteer database. If you have particular skills or experience you think could be beneficial to aiding the process, email Volunteer@oswitlandtrust.org to discuss other ways you can get involved. And of course, donations are always accepted. Becoming a monthly donor through oswitlandtrust.org is an excellent way to help us transform Prescott Preserve and aid our ongoing efforts to save wildlife one acre at a time!

The residents and visitors of Palm Springs are very supportive and passionate about Prescott Preserve. State and federal agencies love the idea of Prescott Preserve and are a huge supporter. Prescott Preserve is becoming a tourist hot spot contributing to the local economy as well as creating jobs for our community. As the cherry on top, we are saving land and wildlife for a lifetime to come so that it's WIN, WIN, WIN across the board. We hold Prescott Preserve very close to our hearts and we are excited to show you our vision. Please scroll below to learn more.