Just five days following its much-anticipated reopening, the Bucky Dent Water Park in Hialeah was forced to shut down indefinitely. The Florida Department of Health discovered the park was operating without the necessary state permits, as reported by El Nuevo Herald.
The water park welcomed visitors again on July 31 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Mayor Bryan Calvo. After seven years of closure, he promised the community a renewed space for family gatherings and swimming. Sadly, the excitement was short-lived.
State Officials Step In
On August 5, state inspectors placed pink notices at the park's entrance, issuing a stark warning:
"This pool does NOT comply with Florida Statute 514 and the Florida Administrative Code 64E-9 and may endanger the health, safety, or welfare of individuals using this facility," Telemundo 51 reported.
The closure affects the main pool, activity pool, and the smaller pool equipped with water slides.
A Bureaucratic Mix-Up
Mayor Calvo acknowledged the compliance issue in an official statement, attributing it to a minor bureaucratic oversight:
"Due to an oversight in completing a form, the Health Department's permit is still pending approval. We are working swiftly to reopen the pool as soon as it is issued. We apologize to our residents, who were eager to enjoy the new pool after a seven-year wait."
Additionally, the mayor's spokesperson, Julio Ligorria, admitted to mechanical issues, including a faulty pump.
The Incident That Triggered the Inspection
The immediate catalyst for the closure was a medical emergency on August 4, involving an 80-year-old visitor who lost consciousness in one of the pools.
Kevin Palmer, a 33-year-old algebra teacher and former U.S. Army sergeant, was among the first to respond.
"I took charge of the situation because everyone else disappeared," Palmer told El Nuevo Herald. "I tapped the man on the shoulder and saw no response, so I immediately pulled him out, holding him against my chest."
However, the official narrative diverges: Ligorria stated that lifeguards "responded in a split second," taking "about 15 or 20 seconds to remove him and start resuscitation."
Palmer contested this account, claiming, "It wasn't until, I guess, one of the senior lifeguards arrived a minute or two later, and I heard him say, 'Come on, let's do CPR, chest compressions now.'"
The individual was transported to a hospital and is reported to be recovering, according to CBS Miami.
Community Disappointment
Yised Casanella, who brought her children to the park on Thursday morning, unaware of its closure, voiced the frustration of many residents: "I don't understand. How can they open without the permit?"
The reopening was touted as a significant achievement for Mayor Calvo, who took office in January 2026 at the age of 28, becoming Hialeah's youngest mayor. The park's renovation, initiated due to deteriorating conditions since around 2019, cost approximately $4 million. Admission was free until August 13, a period the community barely enjoyed before state notices brought the festivities to a halt.
Details on Bucky Dent Water Park's Closure
Why was the Bucky Dent Water Park closed?
The park was closed because it was operating without the required state permits, as discovered by the Florida Department of Health.
What was the immediate cause for the health inspection?
A medical emergency involving an 80-year-old visitor who lost consciousness in a pool triggered the inspection.
What were some of the mechanical issues noted?
The spokesperson for the mayor mentioned mechanical problems, including a failing pump, contributing to the park's operational issues.