Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures officials aim to open May 23 despite state orders

Officials at Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures in New Caney confirmed in a May 22 Facebook post that the water park is moving forward with its Memorial Day weekend reopening in spite of state orders. Big Rivers is part of the 632-acre Grand Texas development.

Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive orders May 18 included reopening for various businesses through May 29, but the orders maintained that water parks and other amusement venues, such as amusement parks and video arcades, should remain closed.

Order violations can result in fines and/or license suspension or revocation, according to a spokesperson for Gov. Abbott's office.

In the May 22 Facebook post, officials stated that they were limiting the park's capacity to 2,020—less than 25% of the park's 12,000-person capacity.

In a May 16 Facebook video, Grand Texas CEO Monty Galland said the park will be installing hand sanitizing stations and maintaining 6-foot social distancing standards and that front-line employees will be required to wear face masks.

Meanwhile, other water parks across the state area remaining closed. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring, Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort in New Braunfels and Galveston and Typhoon Texas in Katy are among the water parks that are waiting for state orders to reopen.

Requests for comments from Galland and the Grand Texas team were not returned by press time. This post will be updated with more information as it becomes available.

Below is the post on the Big Rivers Waterpark Facebook page sharing details of the opening: