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City-staple Watergarden is now open, but shut off looms with persistent drought conditions

With city water storage levels staying low, upcoming hot temperatures and increased water demand the Watergardens may not stay flowing for long.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — On Wednesday the City of Corpus Christi celebrated the long-awaited grand reopening of the Watergarden at its location on North Chaparral Street!

The iconic water feature has been shutdown for seven years for its $8 million restoration, so community members flooded the area to enjoy what they've been missing out on. 

One visitor, Sarah Salazar, even made the trip down from San Antonio when she heard the news of its re-opening! She told 3NEWS that visiting the Watergarden is a beloved childhood memory for her because her father would bring her often when she was little.

"It's really good for the community to be able to have this again and somewhere everyone can come together and just have a beautiful moment," Salazar said.

The City created a beautiful moment as they paid tribute to Officer Kyle Hicks at the ceremony. Bagpipes were played in memoriam of the officer as the city continues to say goodbye to the man who dedicated his life to protecting our community.

Mayor Paulette Guajardo leading that tribute and welcomed the community back to a beloved downtown tradition.

"The gardens have been a part of so many families in years past and we are finally opening back up; they're well constructed and we couldn't be happier," Guajardo said.

Unfortunately by mid-August it could be shut down again as the city is expected to begin Stage 3 water restrictions by that time.

"Even if we have to turn it off for a short period of time, the pumps are going to be in great shape, the system is still refurbished all of that infrastructure doesn't deteriorate or go away," Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni said. 

Level 3 restrictions would mean that all public and private pools and other water features have to be turned off and, according to the city manager, cannot be refilled. 

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