Goleta residents awaiting the splash pad in Old Town will have to keep waiting. 

The city announced Monday that equipment failures are indefinitely delaying the opening of the anticipated addition to Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park at 170 S. Kellogg Ave.

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

City staff and contractors working on the installation of the splash pad are running into mechanical and operational challenges. 

The splash pad’s mechanical system is complex. Any malfunction impacts the entire operation. Specifically, there were chemical balance issues with the system. Additionally, a water pressure issue caused the pump to fail, according to officials. 

The neighborhood park opened in 2019 with plans to include a splash pad. However, construction could not move forward because of water restrictions brought on by the long-term drought. 

Four years after the park’s debut, in 2023, water restrictions were lifted, and the splash pad project launched only to be delayed by construction issues and supply chain challenges.

Currently, the blue and green pad that was supposed to open in the summer of 2024 sits enclosed by a metal fence as it awaits repairs. 

Frequent parkgoer Ana Solorzano said she and her 4-year-old daughter, Heavenly, have been excitedly awaiting the opening. 

“We are so sad about the delay, but we will be patiently waiting,” she said. 

She said she hasn’t seen any recent construction to the splash pad and has been telling her daughter that maybe by next summer it will open. 

City officials said they will provide a new timeline for opening the splash pad once repairs, verification testing and technical issues are resolved.