Parents ask Nye County to delay splash pad ribbon-cutting over safety and design changes

Community members who led a fundraiser for the new Pahrump splash pad told the Board of County Commissioners they were blindsided by design changes and safety concerns at the facility ahead of its planned ribbon-cutting.

Heather Marquez (speaker 21), one of the organizers, said the public plans showed shade and accessible seating that are not present at the finished park and asked the board to postpone the grand opening until an independent safety review and ADA compliance check are completed. “The project that is scheduled for its ribbon cutting this Friday looks dramatically different from what the public was shown,” she said.

Several other parents and donors repeated the request. Beth Borisiewicz (speaker 10) detailed concerns about exposed cinderblock walls, chain-link fencing and the absence of engineering and water-treatment plans, saying, “This place is unsafe.” Multiple callers asked for documentation of inspections and independent engineering plans.

Parks Director Jimmy Martinez (speaker 56) answered during manager comments that the splash pad is engineered, drains to a reclaimed-water system when required, includes slip-resistant surfacing and that a purchase order for shade structures had been issued minutes before the meeting. Martinez said the county would cover the shade shortfall from parks department budgets in addition to the $5,000 the community raised.

The board asked staff to place a focused agenda item to review the pad’s engineering, ADA compliance, and shade-installation schedule; staff said they will return with permitting details and a recommended public follow-up meeting.