Why Haven’t the City of El Paso Spray Parks Opened?

It’s getting warmer by the day and water-splashing fun is what we need. Usually, by this time of the year, the city spray parks are there to offer relief from the sun.

In the last few years, city spray parks have opened on or about mid-April. So why aren’t the quality-of-life amenities drenching El Paso kids with buckets of water yet?

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List: Spray Park Locations

• South El Paso/Downtown: Chamizal Community Park, 2119 Cypress Avenue
• West:Westside Community Park, 7400 High Ridge Dr.
• Upper Valley: Braden Aboud Memorial Park, 4325 River Bend Dr.
• Central: Grandview Park, 3100 Jefferson Ave
• Lower Valley: Hidden Valley Park, 200 Coconut Tree Dr.
• Lower Valley: Pavo Real Enhanced Park, 9301 Alameda Ave
• Northeast: Sue Young Park, 9730 Diana Dr.
• East: Marty Robbins Park, 11600 Vista Del Sol Dr.
• Far East: Salvador Rivas Jr. Park, 12480 Pebble Hills Dr.

Since they first opened five years ago, city spray parks have become a destination place to catch a break from the brutal El Paso heat. In addition to numerous water features, they all have shaded areas and picnic tables -- and best of all, they're free to use.

But, what's the holdup? According to the city, they’re all undergoing maintenance.

"Several of the spray parks have been plagued by vandalism during the last few months. COVID-19 has also delayed the delivery of necessary parts to complete repairs and maintenance to be able to operate the spray parks," was the explanation communicated via press release.

Parks & Rec doesn’t anticipate them shooting cooling jets of water until on or about Memorial Day, which this year falls on Monday, May 30.