Staff Reports
Texas Governor Greg Abbott stepped in and did what most local leaders should have done themselves: he protected the principle that taxpayer-funded facilities belong to all taxpayers. When Grand Prairie tried to quietly reserve Epic Waters Indoor Water Park for a “Muslim-only” Eid event, Abbott’s office warned the city it would lose $530,000 in state public safety grants unless the event was canceled. The city folded and the event was called off — proving once again that rules matter, even when identity politics wants special treatment.
What actually happened at Epic Waters
The city-owned Epic Waters water park in Grand Prairie had advertised a “DFW Epic Eid” that, according to flyers and the event page, was “MUSLIM ONLY,” “FOR MUSLIMS ONLY,” and “CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC — MUSLIMS ONLY.” Abbott’s office sent a letter to the mayor warning that the city must comply with state and federal civil-rights laws that bar discrimination when facilities are funded by taxpayers. The governor gave the city a firm deadline: cancel the restricted event or refund $530,000 in public safety grants. The event was canceled and conservative commentators celebrated the enforcement of nondiscrimination rules at taxpayer-owned venues.
Legal backing: HB 4211 and nondiscrimination rules
Governor Abbott pointed to Texas law he signed — HB 4211 — and to the standard grant terms that require recipients to obey civil-rights and nondiscrimination statutes. The message was simple: taxpayer-funded spaces cannot be turned into religious-only “no-go zones.” Private organizations can run private, religious events on private property. But when the water park is owned and operated by the city, and when every Texan chips in through taxes, excluding people because of their religion is unlawful and unacceptable. That’s a principle that holds whether you agree with the reason for the exclusion or not.
Why this matters beyond one canceled event
This is about more than one water park day. It’s about the principle that public facilities are public. Letting a city-owned pool or playground be reserved for a single religion sets a dangerous precedent. Want to hold a private religious celebration? Go ahead — on private rented space. Want to run it at a publicly funded facility? Then follow the law and open it to the community. Abbott did what governors should do: defended taxpayers’ rights and the rule of law, rather than bowing to the latest demand for a special carve-out.
The last splash
The cancellation of the Muslim-only water park event is a reminder that government has a role in protecting equal access to public assets. Conservatives should applaud enforcement of nondiscrimination rules while staying mindful of religious liberty for private gatherings. If local officials are going to run city-owned venues, they need to remember who pays the bills. Otherwise we’ll keep seeing more “exclusive” events that belong in private halls — not in places funded by every Texan.
