A taxpayer-funded waterpark in Grand Prairie is drawing criticism after organizers booked it for a private Eid celebration initially promoted as a Muslims-only event.<\/p>\n
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark at 2970 Epic Place will close to the general public on Monday, June 1, for the 3rd Annual DFW Epic Eid celebration.<\/a> The East Plano Islamic Center organized the full-park rental, which features the facility\u2019s slides, wave pool, lazy river and arcade along with halal food, a private prayer room and a required modest dress code aligned with Islamic values. Tickets start at $55 and are available only through the event website.<\/p>\n Early promotional materials described the event as \u201cfor Muslims only.\u201d After social media backlash<\/a> and questions about religious discrimination<\/a> at a publicly supported venue, organizers revised the messaging to describe it as a \u201cmodest dress-only\u201d celebration and added language stating \u201call are welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n How is a taxpayer-funded, city-owned entity allowed to discriminate against non-Muslims at a public water park? \u2014 Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) May 4, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n Epic Waters, an 80,000-square-foot indoor facility that opened in 2017, was built with $88 million in voter-approved sales tax revenue and is owned by the City of Grand Prairie but managed by a third-party operator. The city issued a statement emphasizing that the park routinely rents to private groups of all backgrounds.<\/p>\n \u201cThe City of Grand Prairie is a diverse, welcoming and inclusive community,\u201d the statement reads. \u201cEpic Waters is owned by the City and managed by a third-party operator. Like other City-owned facilities, it is available for rental by individuals and organizations of all backgrounds. The June 1 EID celebration at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark is a private, full-park rental. It is not hosted, organized or promoted by the City of Grand Prairie or Epic Waters.\u201d<\/p>\n The debate centers on whether a publicly funded facility can be rented for an event that limits access based on faith or cultural guidelines, even when the hosting group pays for exclusive use. Similar private rentals for faith-based or cultural celebrations occur regularly at city venues.<\/p>\n LISTEN<\/a> on the Audacy App
There would be literal riots if Muslims were similarly excluded and we all know that\u2019s 100% accurate. https:\/\/t.co\/rAh0SzqH1K<\/a><\/p>\n
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