Hawaiian Falls/Dallas Waterpark ready to kickoff summer with a splash
Bahama Beach, marketed as "the first inner-city waterpark in America", was officially re-branded to Hawaiian Falls/Dallas on Monday. David Busch, President and CEO of Hawaiian Falls, hosted a group of business and community leaders to celebrate the re-branding and provide a glimpse of the $250,000 in upgrades currently underway at the waterpark, including adding an abundance of shade.
"This park is a great example of a successful partnership between a private enterprise and the City of Dallas. We are both committed to serve the people of Dallas by providing quality, affordable family-friendly entertainment," said Busch. "Hawaiian Falls Dallas provides a wholesome, fun environment to meet their needs."
Read Hawaiian Falls/Dallas press release here.
I had a chance to attend the re-branding celebration and I was extremely impressed. I have passed by Bahama Beach hundreds of times, yet Monday was my first time stepping foot on the property.
Upon touring Hawaiian Falls/Dallas, I can't see why every family in North Texas isn't trying to get to this place. Just think of a half scale Hurricane Harbor (or Wet 'N Wild for us old timers), that charges $12.99 for adults and $6.99 for seniors and children under 48 inches tall. The adult admission price is $6 lower than Hawaiian Falls' two other waterparks; Hawaiian Falls/Firewheel in Garland, and Hawaiian Falls/The Colony at 121 & Plano Pkwy.
In speaking with park executives, I can tell that increasing attendance is a big goal for them this summer. Last year about 40,000 people visited Bahama Beach. This year Hawaiian Falls/Dallas hopes to serve over 100,000 customers. To achieve that goal, there has been a focus on advertising. The hope is that re-branding the park will help, but they have also increased the number of radio and TV ads that promote the family of parks from 500 to 4,000.
The team of CEO David Busch, Regional Manager Evan Barnett, and Park General Manager Pastor (P.Y.) Yancy all displayed excitement and optimism about the park's future. Dallas park board president C.W. Whitaker was also on hand for the celebration. He praised the private/public partnership and hailed the park as an example of what the city can expect with the 1/3 billion dollars voters approved for parks in the last bond election.
CEO David Busch (left) & staff; lifeguards; P.Y.Yancy & guests
The staff on hand was extremely helpful and courteous. The park has 150 employees whom they refer to as ambassadors, and most of them are from Oak Cliff and surrounding areas. They are offered professional support (such as 7 Habits for Highly Successful Teens) as well as continuous safety training. Two of the lifeguards that I spoke with talked about how good it was to work in such a friendly, thoughtful environment. Much of the credit is given to Pastor Yancy for creating a family feel for the park's employees.
Finally I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the Christian atmosphere that permeated the celebration. Mr. Busch invited one of the company's employees to open the lunch meeting with a word of prayer. He consistently talked about how blessed he has been in the development of the park, and he spoke of having met Pastor Yancy through a religious affiliation in California.
But the bottom line is that the park is going to have to make money to remain in operation, especially at its current level. The company seems willing to do their part, I hope the city and its residents will do their part by supporting Hawaiian Falls/Dallas in their southern venture. The park, located at 1895 Campfire Circle (just of Hwy 67 and N. Hampton), officially opens for visitors on Friday May 25.
