Epic Waters: A Water Park with Purpose in Grand Prairie, Texas
In the heart of Grand Prairie, Texas, lies Epic Waters, a municipal water park that’s redefining what a community recreational facility can be. Far more than a place to splash and slide, Epic Waters stands as a gold standard in the industry, blending fun, accessibility, and sustainability into a model that’s capturing attention across North America. As Nancy Patterson, Director of Design and Business Development at OpenAire, shared at a recent sustainability conference, this project is about “Water Parks with Purpose”—and it’s delivering on that promise in remarkable ways.
A Vision Beyond the Slides
When you think of a water park, you might picture towering slides, lazy rivers, and sun-soaked fun. Epic Waters, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, certainly has those, but it’s true brilliance lies in its broader mission and the vision of its host city. Owned by the city of Grand Prairie, this 70,000-square-foot indoor facility was designed to serve as a community cornerstone, not just a seasonal attraction. As Patterson emphasized, the project’s goals transcend traditional sustainability metrics like energy savings and recycling—though it excels in those areas, with a building that’s incurred no maintenance costs eight years after opening. Instead, Epic Waters focuses on the “bigger picture”: creating a lasting, positive impact on the community it serves.
From the outset, the city aimed to build a facility that would be accessible to all, especially in a lower-income area where recreational opportunities were scarce. The project, called Epic Central, includes a world-class recreation center, The Epic, an all-abilities playground called Playgrand Adventures, and the Epic Grand Lawn, a vibrant space for free community events like concerts and festivals all around a lagoon with water and light shows. These elements work together to make Epic Central a destination that draws families from up to 12 hours away while ensuring local residents, regardless of income, can enjoy its offerings. As Rick, CEO of American Resort Management, noted, the water park’s revenue supports subsidized entry for locals—sometimes as low as $9—making it a true community asset.
A Model for Sustainability and Scalability
What sets Epic Waters apart is its natural alignment with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From fostering education through STEM programs to promoting equality and accessibility, the project touches on goals like job creation, partnerships, and community well-being. It’s not just about using eco-friendly materials; it’s about building a facility that gives back to its region long-term. The water park’s financial success, for instance, funds reinvestment into future upgrades, ensuring it remains a vibrant hub without burdening taxpayers.
This approach has made Epic Waters a case study in scalability. Other municipalities, like Bellevue, Nebraska, and Bradley, Illinois, are now looking to replicate its success, adapting the concept to their own communities—sometimes on a smaller scale or with different attractions. The project’s “Belt and Suspenders” strategy—conservative financial projections paired with a revenue-generating water park—has proven flexible enough to inspire both public and private entities. As Patterson highlighted, the principles behind Epic Waters are universal, whether you’re a small town or a private developer dreaming big.
A Destination That Transforms
Since opening, Epic Waters has exceeded expectations, growing from 320,000 annual visitors to over 400,000, with the broader Epic Central campus hosting 1.7 million visits last year. Its success has sparked over two million square feet of public-private development, including hotels and restaurants, transforming Grand Prairie into a hub-and-spoke tourism destination. Visitors stay for days, enjoying the water park, exploring nearby attractions, or attending free events on the Epic Grand Lawn, all while local kids call it their “Orlando vacation.”
Epic Waters proves that a water park can be so much more than a place to cool off. It’s a catalyst for community pride, economic growth, and sustainable development. As cities across North America face challenges like declining public and private spaces and tightening budgets, Grand Prairie’s story offers a blueprint: build with purpose, prioritize accessibility, and create a destination that everyone can call their own. Whether you’re a mayor, a developer, or just someone who loves a good slide, Epic Waters is a reminder that big dreams can make a big splash.
Want to learn more? Visit Grand Prairie to experience Epic Waters firsthand or check out how other communities are building their own versions of this game-changing concept. Or visit our Epic Waters project page or read Epic Waters Waterpark: The Journey from Concept to Reality