CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — An incident over the Memorial Day weekend at the newly renovated Corpus Christi Watergarden has caught the attention of many residents and even city officials.
Pictures were snapped of a family wading or swimming in the water feature and those images are making the rounds on social media.
It has sparked a conversation about whether you should be allowed to get inside the water.
"I saw the pictures, there was children in there, it's not very safe," San Antonio resident visiting the attraction, Gabby Gonzalez said.
Another visitor, Jessica Orona, told 3NEWS, "I wouldn't get in it, that's not what it's used for."
"Just kind of confusing, plenty of little beach heads, I don't get why you come to an art museum and swim in a fountain," visitor Patrick Hagans said.
The water might look inviting on a hot day, but city officials are asking visitors to refrain from jumping in.
Parks and Recreation Director Robert Dodd said although the water is treated and safe to enter, the Watergarden is not intended for wading or swimming.
"As beautiful as it is, and as iconic as it is, it's not interactive, people aren't suppose to be in there," Dodd said.
He said park enforcement was on hand over the busy holiday weekend to ask visitors not to get into the water, and while some complied others did not.
Signage to stay off the grass was also ignored by some.
"It's such a big thing for Corpus to have this back open," he said. "We just want to make sure it's maintained and it keeps its beautiful look throughout the year."
The Watergarden was reopened to the public four weeks ago after undergoing an $8 million restoration project after it was damaged by 2017's Hurricane Harvey.
RELATED: Corpus Christi Watergarden restoration in full swing following damage from 2017s Hurricane Harvey
The city is now expediting signage following the incident to let visitors know not to enter the water and that it is to be enjoyed for viewing only.
"Once we put up signage we'll have our guys who are out here daily," Dodd said. "We have security at night from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. that will discourage that [getting into the water] and obviously we have park enforcement that can come out and if things escalate, police can get involved."
There is also the safety aspect.
"There's a lot of dangers, we've got reports of young children trying to climb up the stairs obviously we discourage that, it's slippery," he said.
Dodd said there are plenty of places families can enjoy, like one water feature on the other side of the American Bank Center which is described as an interactive fountain.
The city also has splash pads available at parks to cool off. Those locations include Collier, Salinas, West Haven, and Bill Witt.
The city's newest splash pad along with its new playground will be located at Cole Park. A ribbon cutting will take place June 12.
Another thing that can be a nightmare for maintenance crews, confetti left on the ground and in the water following celebrations or photo shoots.
They ask to refrain from using things like confetti and to clean up after yourself.
The city also reminds the community that pools will be open for the summer beginning June 1. They are free! Check out the city's website for more information.