Senator René García Addresses Florida Department of Health Findings at Bucky Dent Park Aquatic Facilities

Following the indefinite closure of Bucky Dent Water Park shortly after its reopening, findings from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) raise serious concerns about public safety, accountability and transparency within the City of Hialeah.

Senator René García is addressing Hialeah Mayor Calvo and members of the City Council in an open letter demanding answers, immediate corrective action and accountability after an FDOH report detailed more than 30 infractions across three aquatic facilities. The violations included conditions involving water quality, filtration and circulation systems, required safety equipment, physical pool infrastructure, permitting and modifications to critical equipment.

“We must hold our elected officials to a higher standard, particularly when public safety is at stake. According to the information available to us, the last contact between the City of Hialeah and the Florida Department of Health regarding these facilities occurred in January 2026, nearly seven months before the inspections that closed all pools,” stated Senator García. “This raises serious questions about what oversight occurred during that time and why facilities without valid operating permits continued to serve the public. Our residents deserve proactive leadership, accountability, and vigilance, not action only after serious deficiencies are uncovered.”

Senator García is also calling on the City of Hialeah to immediately evaluate its other city-operated aquatic facilities and ensure that similar deficiencies do not exist elsewhere.

“I stand ready to serve in any way that will help the City address these deficiencies and protect our residents. If there are County resources, expertise, or coordination that would help resolve these issues, I remain, as I have always been, prepared to assist,” Senator García said.