See you at the Circle

Where community life, events, and visitors intersect in Borrego Springs.

Borrego Springs

The  Center  of  Borrego  Springs

Christmas Circle Community Park is in San Diego County and is the heart of Borrego Springs community life. This iconic circular park hosts festivals, farmers markets, art shows, wellness programs, celebrations, and everyday gatherings for residents and visitors.



Highlights: In San Diego County · Centrally located · Public restrooms · Dog-friendly · Picnic tables · Community events · Art shows · Farmers markets · Health & wellness programs · Open green space


By Andrea Mckenna June 30, 2026
Written bids are due July 20 for ongoing landscape maintenance services beginning Aug. 1, 2026. The Christmas Circle Community Park Board of Directors is accepting written bids from local landscape maintenance companies for ongoing maintenance services at Christmas Circle Community Park. Services are scheduled to begin Aug. 1, 2026. Bids must include the proposed monthly fee, proof of required insurance and applicable licenses. The deadline to submit written bids is July 20, 2026, by 5 p.m. Interested companies should review the complete Scope of Work and bid requirements. For more information, contact Frank Murillo, Vice President, Christmas Circle Community Park Board of Directors, at 760-576-9563. REQUIRED SCOPE OF WORK: TURF MAINTENANCE 1. All turf will be mowed a minimum of once a week, weather permitting. Mowing of all turf must be completed by using a tractor and not push mowers. Mowing of the turf will be monitored carefully to ensure it is not cut too low. 2. Where the turf meets concrete, pathways, planter beds, or other border areas the turf will be kept edged using a gas edger. 3. All turf not accessible with a tractor will be trimmed with a weed eater each time the turf is mowed. Areas include near curbs and sidewalks, around the base of trees, in and around valve boxes. 4. All turf areas will be fertilized to maintain optimum turf health and appearance. Posted notices for the general public are required at time of fertilizer application. Landscape Maintenance Company will notify Frank Murillo when the fertilizer application occurs to ensure the appropriate Notice is placed on the bulletin board. All labor and materials for these applications are included in the monthly landscape maintenance fee. PLANTER AREAS 1. All shrubs and plantings will be kept trimmed, weeded, and edged on an on-going basis. 2. All weeding of planter areas will be done by hand, without chemical means. 3. All plantings will be fertilized as needed to maintain optimum plant health and appearance. All labor and materials are included in the monthly landscape maintenance fee. TREE MAINTENANCE 1. Trees will be inspected on a regular basis. The Christmas Circle Community Park Board of Directors (ergo, property representatives) will be notified of any recommendations concerning tree health and maintenance. If a Certified Arborist is necessary the Christmas Circle Community Park Board of Directors will coordinate this specific landscape maintenance separately outside of this Scope of Work. 2. Tree pruning that can be done from ground level to a maximum of 10 feet is included in the monthly landscape maintenance fee and will be done on an as-needed basis. Suckers growing around the base of trees will be monitored weekly and trimmed as needed. 3. Leaves, minor limb breakage, and other minor tree debris will be cleaned up in the normal course of landscape maintenance. 4. Major breakage or up-rooted tree clean up is not included in the monthly landscape maintenance fee but can be performed in a separate landscape maintenance agreement. 5. Annual palm tree trimming will be completed in mid-September every year under a separate landscape maintenance agreement. A bucket truck equipped with an extendable arm (boom) and a bucket at the end must be used for trimming all the palm trees at Christmas Circle Community Park. A written quote will be rendered and approved by the Christmas Circle Community Park Board of Directors prior to any work conducted under this separate agreement. NOTE: The palm tree trimming and re-seeding of turf must be coordinated carefully and in a timely manner to ensure that Christmas Circle Community Park is ready for the annual Borrego Days Festival every mid-October. IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE 1. The irrigation system will be checked, adjusted, and maintained for the proper and efficient operation. Water usage will be monitored and adjusted on an on-going basis to provide optimum plant health and appearance while maximizing water conservation. Checking and adjusting may also be required during the early and late evening to ensure proper adjustment, regulation and application of water. Water usage and requirements change with the seasons and will require monitoring so adjustment and application of water is appropriate as seasons change. 2. Minor irrigation repairs (broken sprinklers, lateral pipes) will be done as needed. Labor for these repairs is included in the monthly landscape maintenance fee. Parts will be billed separately and original store receipts are required as part of the billing. 3. Major repairs (mainline, valve, wiring, or controller repair) will be done as needed and is not included in the monthly landscape maintenance fee but can be performed in a separate landscape maintenance agreement. 4. Any damage done to the irrigation system, lighting or park structures and fixtures during the normal course of landscape maintenance will be repaired at no cost. 5. All irrigation valve boxes in the Park will be maintained and kept clear of dirt that can cover irrigation valves. Irrigation valve boxes will be routinely checked every two weeks. Any leaks or pests such as coach roaches found inside will be reported immediately to Frank Murillo. GENERAL MAINTENANCE 1. All walkways, curbs, areas in and around walls, drains and dumpster will be swept or blown clean of debris as needed. 2. All turf and landscaped areas will be policed for trash (large or small) during the course of regular maintenance and especially just prior to mowing the turf. This includes bagging and removing dog feces. 3. Grass clippings, branches, leaves and other debris generated by landscape maintenance activities will be removed at no additional cost. RE-SEEDING To maintain a quality year around turf, all grass areas must be re-seeded once each Fall. This will be accomplished in the following manner. NOTE: The palm tree trimming and re-seeding of turf must be coordinated carefully and in a timely manner to ensure that Christmas Circle Community Park is ready for the annual Borrego Days Festival every mid-October. 1. Water to turf areas will be turned off to dry out the grass and retard re-growth of bermuda grass. 2. Turf will be scalped down and clippings removed. 3. Turf areas will be re-seeded with perennial rye grass. 4. The irrigation system will be adjusted and monitored to ensure proper germination of seed. This will require multiple daily watering, as needed, with watering during the day as well as at night until seedlings mature. 5. Proper fertilization will be conducted to insure optimum turf health and growth. Labor for re-seeding is included in the monthly landscape maintenance fee. Materials (seeds and fertilizer) will be billed separately and original store receipts are required as part of the billing. REQUIRED PROOF OF LICENSES AND INSURANCE 1. Landscape Maintenance Company must carry a $1,000,000.00 Liability Insurance Policy. 2. All vehicles must be covered by automobile insurance. 3. Workers Compensation Insurance coverage for all employees of the Landscape Maintenance Company. 4. All Landscape Maintenance Company owners and employees that operate motorized vehicles must have valid CA driver licenses. CONTRACT TERM Upon successful agreement and acceptance of this Scope of Work, the Landscape Maintenance Contract for Christmas Circle Community Park will be binding for a duration of two years. Options for additional, two year, Landscape Maintenance Contracts may be possible. During this two-year term, either party may cancel this contract, with a 30-day written notice to the Christmas Circle Community Park Board of Directors.
April 24, 2026
For quite some time, the Christmas Circle has experienced an increasingly serious trash problem. Unfortunately, many individuals have been bringing household garbage to the Circle and disposing of it in the Park’s trash cans. In addition, large items have been left in or on the dumpster, campers passing through town have discarded camping and off-road trash, and there have even been instances of human waste being left at the Circle. Due to the ongoing misuse of the trash facilities and the escalation of these issues, the Christmas Circle Community Park Board made the difficult but necessary decision to remove the trash cans from the Circle. This action was taken to stop the continued dumping of household and other unauthorized waste in the Park. The Park will be operating under a “pack it in, pack it out” approach. Visitors are asked to responsibly take all trash and belongings with them when they leave the Circle. This policy is intended to help protect the Park and keep it clean for everyone. The Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce was notified of this decision and understands both the seriousness of the problem and the need for action. Similar trash dumping issues have affected many local businesses, and they too have had to take steps to address improper trash disposal. We recognize that this change may be inconvenient, but it is necessary to protect Christmas Circle and ensure it remains a welcoming and enjoyable space for our full-time and part-time residents, as well as visitors and tourists. We will continue to communicate with the community regarding this issue and appreciate your understanding. ~ Christmas Circle Board of Directors Contact Christmas Circle Community Park PO Box 1025 Borrego Springs, CA 92004 Call (509) 936-1592 Donate Christmas Circle Community Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible. EIN 91-1774674

What Happens at Christmas Circle


Events and uses include:



  • Community festivals and seasonal celebrations
  • Farmers markets and artisan markets
  • Art shows and cultural events
  • Live music and performances
  • Memorials, ceremonies, and civic gatherings
  • Informal picnics, meetups, and daily use by residents and visitors



Volunteer-Run and Community Supported


Oversight and care are provided by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors, with support from donations, grants, and event rentals. Community involvement makes it possible to maintain the landscape, utilities, insurance, and ongoing upkeep.


A  Brief  History of  Christmas  Circle


Christmas Circle has long served as a central gathering place in Borrego Springs. Its name comes from an event recorded on Christmas Eve in 1775, when Salvador Ignacio Linares was born while his family traveled through nearby Coyote Canyon. That moment inspired the name and tied the park to local history more than two centuries ago.



What It Takes to Keep It Going

Ongoing needs include:


  • Water and sewer costs
  • Landscape repair from weather and heavy use
  • Insurance premiums
  • Rising costs for supplies and services
  • Limited local donations
  • Trash and improper dumping


These realities make community support—including donations—essential to keeping the park safe, welcoming, and open.