"Why is the city paying for this Surf and Swim when we have Hawaiian Waters? Will it be owned and operated by the City?"
The answer simply is that funding for the project was approved by the voters in both the 2004 and 2019 bond elections. In 2004, the voters passed Proposition 3 which authorized $21.68 million for parks projects including "Surf & Swim Expansion" and " Skating/Skateboard Facilities." This was also the driving mechanism for the Comer Skate Park. In 2019, approximately another $12 million was approved as part of Proposition D which allocated $117.7 million for Parks and Recreation Facilities and Improvements.
Surf & Swim opened in 1984 and has been an institution in South Garland ever since. It was marketed as an affordable, family-fun place to take your kids to cool off in the hot Texas summers.
Hawaiian Waters (then known as Hawaiian Falls) opened in May 2003 -- 19 years after Surf & Swim. The private operators obviously thought the market was big enough for two water attractions. They are about 10 miles apart serving separate areas in north and south Garland.
The price for Surf & Swim before it closed was $8 for "Big Surfers" and $6 for "Lil' Surfers" under 48" tall. Hawaiian Waters charges $29.99 for "Big Kahunas" and "$23.99" for "Lil' Kahunas" under 48" tall.
The new Surf & Swim will be owned and operated by the City of Garland as it is in a public park funded by tax dollars. We may have to revisit our admission fees once it opens in 2026.
A question I've received:
"Why is the city paying for this Surf and Swim when we have Hawaiian Waters? Will it be owned and operated by the City?"
The answer simply is that funding for the project was approved by the voters in both the 2004 and 2019 bond elections. In 2004, the voters passed Proposition 3 which authorized $21.68 million for parks projects including "Surf & Swim Expansion" and " Skating/Skateboard Facilities." This was also the driving mechanism for the Comer Skate Park. In 2019, approximately another $12 million was approved as part of Proposition D which allocated $117.7 million for Parks and Recreation Facilities and Improvements.
Surf & Swim opened in 1984 and has been an institution in South Garland ever since. It was marketed as an affordable, family-fun place to take your kids to cool off in the hot Texas summers.
Watch an old commercial here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyUaJKU2J5w
Hawaiian Waters (then known as Hawaiian Falls) opened in May 2003 -- 19 years after Surf & Swim. The private operators obviously thought the market was big enough for two water attractions. They are about 10 miles apart serving separate areas in north and south Garland.
The price for Surf & Swim before it closed was $8 for "Big Surfers" and $6 for "Lil' Surfers" under 48" tall. Hawaiian Waters charges $29.99 for "Big Kahunas" and "$23.99" for "Lil' Kahunas" under 48" tall.
The new Surf & Swim will be owned and operated by the City of Garland as it is in a public park funded by tax dollars. We may have to revisit our admission fees once it opens in 2026.