Severe weather leads to closure of multimillion-dollar park hours after grand opening

A multimillion-dollar park in Mecca shuts down just hours after its grand opening on Friday.

“It’s pretty bad,” said Jonathan Plascencia, a Mecca resident who was examining the damages to the park on Monday afternoon.

Leaders said the damages are a result of this weekend’s severe weather.

“This is an example of the power of Mother Nature,” said Kevin Kalman, Desert Recreation District general manager.

Kalman said heavy rains caused flooding, which caused sand and silt to cover parts of the park, ultimately making it too dangerous for people to use.

“We went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows,” Kalman said.

Kalman said no one was injured during the damage and that he wants to keep it that way.

“I already had to speak to a couple of families who came to the park this morning,” he said. “Unfortunately, I had to let them know the park was closed.”

It will stay closed until it’s safe for people, including Plascencia’s family.

“The community is stronger than this,” Plascencia said. “We’ll get it back together.”