Officials remind visitors that swimming is not allowed in the Watergarden

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – An incident over Memorial Day weekend at the newly renovated Corpus Christi Watergarden has caught the attention of many residents and even city officials.

Pictures have been taken of a family wading or swimming in the water feature, and these images are making the rounds on social media.

It has sparked a debate about whether you should be allowed to go into the water.

“I’ve seen the pictures. There were children in there. It’s not very safe,” said Gabby Gonzalez, a San Antonio resident who visits the attraction.

Another visitor, Jessica Orona, told 3NEWS: “I wouldn’t go in there, that’s not what it’s designed for.”

“A bit confusing, lots of little bridgeheads, I don’t understand why you would come to an art museum and swim in a fountain,” said visitor Patrick Hagans.

RELATED TOPICS: Construction underway at Corpus Christi Watergarden

On a hot day the water may look inviting, but the city authorities ask visitors not to jump in.

Robert Dodd, director of the Parks and Recreation Area, said that while the water is treated and safe to enter, the water garden is not intended for wading or swimming.

“As beautiful and iconic as it is, it is not interactive, people should not be there,” Dodd said.

He said park rangers were on site over the busy holiday weekend asking visitors not to go into the water and that some complied but others did not.

Even the signs prohibiting entry onto the lawn were ignored by some.

“It’s a big deal for Corpus that it’s back open,” he said. “We just want to make sure it’s taken care of and keeps its beautiful appearance year-round.”

The water garden reopened to the public four weeks ago after an $8 million restoration following damage caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

RELATED TOPICS: Restoration of Corpus Christi Watergarden underway following damage from 2017 Hurricane Harvey

Following the incident, the city is now trying to put up signs to inform visitors that the water is not to be entered and may only be used for viewing.

“Once we put the signs up, our people will be out here daily,” Dodd said. “We have security personnel at night from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to discourage (going into the water), and of course we have park rangers who can come and if things escalate, the police can be called in.”

There is also the security aspect.

“There are many dangers. We have had reports of small children trying to climb the stairs. Of course, we advise against it because the stairs are slippery,” he said.

Dodd said there are numerous places for families to have fun, such as a water feature on the other side of the American Bank Center, described as an interactive fountain.

To cool off, wading pools are also available at the city’s parks. These locations include Collier, Salinas, West Haven and Bill Witt.

The city’s newest water play area and playground will be located in Cole Park, with a grand opening scheduled for June 12.

Another thing that can be a nightmare for maintenance teams is confetti left on the floor and in the water after parties or photo shoots.

They ask that you refrain from using confetti and similar items and that you clean up your own rubbish.

The city also reminds the population that the swimming pools will be open for the summer from June 1st. Admission is free! For more information, visit the city’s website.