The long-awaited reopening of Fayetteville's spray pad hit another snag this week, officials said — it's too slippery to stay open. Parents and fun-seekers were only just starting to enjoy the City Center Park feature when complaints began to stream in about the new ground surface, installed just days ago, not meeting safety standards. "Upon investigation, City staff have determined it necessary to close the spray pad immediately until the surface issues can be properly addressed," according to the City of Fayetteville press release.

Despite the city's intention to create a safe and enjoyable space, the closure has caused something of a headache for officials and parkgoers alike. After a reopening on Tuesday, May 6, the spray pad was expected to be slip-free. However, community members were quick to find that the surface still posed a risk, especially to younger children prone to running and slipping. The city, on their website, assured the public that "This is a high priority, and we hope to have the situation resolved as soon as possible."

Local resident Jenna Houssels, visiting with her two young sons, expressed disappointment, "They were so looking forward to splashing around today. It's a shame it's not ready, but safety comes first, of course." The problem with the new surface comes as a surprise, as the city's contractors had just touted the use of the latest materials designed specifically to prevent such issues, as per the City of Fayetteville.

While the City scrambles to address the latest round of repairs, they've emphasized that the rest of the City Center Park facilities, including the playgrounds, remain open and are operating as usual. The City has not released a projected date for the spray pad's re-opening, but the assurance has been made to the public that they're working diligently to fix the problem. In the meantime, families are encouraged to take advantage of the remaining amenities that the park has to offer.