Goleta’s Jonny D Wallis Park Splash Pad Faces Opening Delay After Equipment Failures

The City of Goleta announced on November 3, 2025, a delay in the opening of the new splash pad at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park. The decision came after officials found equipment failures during the facility’s final inspection.

According to the City of Goleta’s website, the splash pad was anticipated to open in 2025. However, during the final phase of inspection, the equipment check did not meet the City’s safety and quality standards. 

“We understand how disappointing this news is for our residents,” said JoAnne Plummer, Director of Neighborhood Services.

She added that the city staff and contractors have been working closely with the manufacturer to ensure the splash pad’s safety and efficiency while identifying the causes of the equipment failures.

“The Splash Pad has been one of our most anticipated park improvements, and our community has been waiting patiently,” Plummer said.

According to the City, it will share an updated timeline after ongoing issues are resolved.

The #CityofGoleta wants to share an important update on the #SplashPad at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park in Old Town. During final testing, some equipment issues were discovered that need to be resolved before opening. While this is disappointing news, safety and quality come… pic.twitter.com/2zvWFcs7qM

— City of Goleta (@CityOfGoleta) November 3, 2025

Staff and contractors have spent months addressing the deficiencies and meeting safety and quality requirements, the City noted.  Authorities are working with contractors and equipment manufacturers to conduct verification testing before announcing a new date.

About the Splash Pad

The splash pad was one of the original designs of the Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park, which opened on March 30, 2019. The water play area was planned between the basketball court and picnic space but was postponed due to water restrictions during California’s prolonged drought.

The project officially broke ground on June 13, 2023, but has faced several challenges, including construction delays, supply chain disruptions, and the latest technical and mechanical issues.

Despite the setbacks, the City remains optimistic about completing the splash pad soon.

“We look forward to celebrating the opening together soon and delivering a feature that will bring joy to residents for many summers to come,” Plummer said.