Bahama Beach Waterpark

For more than two decades, Coconut Cove served as one of Bahama Beach Waterpark’s signature family attractions. Originally opened as part of the park’s 2005 debut, the interactive water playground became known for its colorful multi-level play environment, water cannons, rope ladders, slides, and iconic 1,000-gallon dumping bucket that delighted generations of visitors.

Over time, however, the attraction faced growing operational and infrastructure challenges. Significant damage sustained during a February 2021 winter storm accelerated the deterioration of the aging structure, ultimately leading the City of Dallas to pursue a complete replacement rather than continued repairs.

The revitalization of Coconut Cove was made possible through a significant public investment. The City of Dallas approved a $2.5 million redevelopment project, supported in part by a $1.6 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant associated with damage resulting from the 2021 storm. Additional funding was provided through local park development funding sources. This investment created an opportunity to completely replace the aging attraction and deliver a new aquatic play destination designed for long-term performance, improved reliability, and enhanced guest experiences.

Working alongside the City of Dallas, Kraftsman Commercial Playgrounds & Water Parks

and Vortex Aquatic Structures transformed Coconut Cove into a modern, multi-level aquatic play destination. The project included demolition and removal of the original structure, site preparation, custom foundations, and the installation of a fully customized Elevations™ attraction.

At the heart of the project is a custom Vortex Elevations™ aquatic play structure featuring 16 interconnected decks, 55 interactive water features, and six waterslides. Designed to maximize play value within the existing footprint, the attraction combines elevated adventure, family play, accessibility, and immersive theming into a single cohesive experience.

The structure was intentionally designed to serve a broad age range. Elevated platforms and larger slides create exciting experiences for older children, while lower-level splash features, interactive water effects, and approachable slide experiences support younger visitors and families. Multiple circulation paths encourage exploration and repeat play, allowing guests to continuously discover new routes, water effects, and play opportunities throughout the attraction.

One of the defining characteristics of Coconut Cove is the diversity of water interactions integrated throughout the structure. Interactive spray cannons, hose sprayers, waterfalls, water curtains, pipe falls, deck geysers, kinetic play features, and iconic splash elements create a highly engaging environment that supports discovery, collaboration, movement, and sensory exploration.

The redesign also expands upon one of the attraction’s most recognizable features. While the original Coconut Cove became known for its oversized 1,000-gallon dumping bucket, the new attraction introduces multiple large-scale splash moments, including three iconic dumping features that create highly visible focal points throughout the play experience.

Accessibility was integrated directly into the overall design strategy. The attraction incorporates a universally accessible entry system, creating opportunities for guests of varying abilities to participate in the experience while remaining connected to the broader play environment. Rather than separating accessible play from the main attraction, the structure encourages shared experiences between children, caregivers, and families.

The visual identity of the attraction was also completely reimagined. Inspired by tropical beaches, coastal boardwalks, lush vegetation, wildlife, and exploration, the design incorporates custom colors, themed graphics, and branded elements unique to Bahama Beach. Transparent graphic barriers and custom-themed details reinforce the park’s tropical atmosphere while maintaining visibility throughout the structure.

The project extends beyond the structure itself. Kraftsman provided a custom concrete foundation system, structural footings, and supporting infrastructure designed specifically for the attraction. This turnkey approach ensured that the new Coconut Cove was not simply a replacement of equipment but a complete revitalization of one of the park’s most important family destinations.

The new attraction now provides a significantly enhanced guest experience while supporting higher visitor volumes; Coconut Cove accommodates up to 448 users and delivers one of the most ambitious aquatic play environments ever installed at Bahama Beach Waterpark.

Today, Coconut Cove demonstrates how a legacy family attraction can be transformed into a modern aquatic play destination. Through custom design, immersive theming, enhanced accessibility, expanded water play experiences, and destination-scale engagement, the project provides Bahama Beach with a renewed centerpiece designed to serve families for decades to come.