LCRA, Bandera Electric Co-op award $50,000 grant to Frio Canyon Parks Association
New ADA-compliant playground will welcome children of all abilities
NOV. 15, 2024
LEAKEY, Texas – Frio Canyon Park soon will include a new inclusive playground that will provide a comfortable, safe place for park visitors to play and enjoy being outdoors, thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bandera Electric Cooperative.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $62,305 in matching funds from Frio Canyon Parks Association, will enable the association to install an ADA-compliant covered playground with new equipment that can be used by visitors of different ages and abilities.
Jillian Wade Dillard, president of the Frio Canyon Parks Association, said the playground will not only provide an accessible space for all children, but also will create a gathering spot for families to connect and build memories.
“We want to enable our community to come together and support and encourage our youth to spend time outdoors and live healthy lives,” Dillard said. “Currently, we have softball fields that are only utilized during Little League season, a large slide that is not safe for the younger children and a set of old swings. We would like to expand outdoor recreational opportunities for families by installing a covered playground all can enjoy year-round.”
The park association will remove the current outdated playground equipment and install a modern new structure along with new safety surfacing and a shade structure.
LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said LCRA is proud to play a part in improving recreational opportunities available in Leakey.
“Providing a safe space for children to play enhances the quality of life in a community,” Wilson said. “The Frio Canyon Park playground is open every day of the week to welcome families, increase social interactions and encourage more of a connection with nature. Having an all-inclusive play area illustrates the community’s commitment to providing high-quality amenities in a rural setting.”
Dillard said the Frio Canyon Parks Association is grateful for entities such as LCRA, Bandera Electric Cooperative and Downtown Leakey Inc. that recognize the importance of inclusivity.
“Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive community where every child can thrive,” Dillard said. “This grant supports our mission to enrich lives and strengthens our commitment to creating opportunities that bring everyone together. We’re so grateful for the support and trust in our work, and we can’t wait to see the positive change this playground will bring.”
The City of Leakey owns the park property, and the Frio Canyon Park Association is responsible for the development and maintenance of the park.
The community grant is one of 37 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund eligible capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bandera Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations.
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