The Joya playground resumed operations this week, just in time for Spring Break. Due to the significant influx of visitors since its January opening, the city's Parks Department found it necessary to temporarily close the playground in early March for essential maintenance.
To ensure the safety and security of Farmers Branch residents and the surrounding neighborhood upon its reopening, the city implemented several new policies regarding access.
Operating hours at Joya will now be from noon to 10 p.m. daily, with the security fence remaining and park staff closing the gate at 10 p.m. Parking along Tom Field Road adjacent to the park will be prohibited, except for those with reduced mobility, who can use designated parking lots in the Oran Good Park Complex.
Playground monitors will also now supervise and control capacity during peak times, with a maximum non-resident capacity of 200 people at one time, although city residents will not be turned away. Proof of residency may be required, and city staff will monitor capacity on evenings and weekends. Additionally, unauthorized vendors will be prohibited from soliciting and selling items on or near the playground to maintain its safe and enjoyable environment.
Local Profile previously reported some parents and residents were concerned about the popularity of the park causing safety issues. Robert Diaz, the director of parks and recreation for the city, told WFAA that an excessive number of individuals were parking along the roadside bordering the park, causing traffic congestion and posing a potential hazard to families. The park’s new rules are expected to relieve these issues.
"It has been by any measure a phenomenal success,"Jeff Brady, the director of communication for Farmers Branch, previously said. "However, that success has presented some real challenges for the equipment we've installed here and for the neighborhood surrounding Joya Playground."