LCRA awards $24,974 grant to Tom Green County for park improvements
Installation of boulders and gate repairs will help reduce erosion, preserve beauty of Foster Park
OCT. 30, 2024
TOM GREEN COUNTY, Texas – Tom Green County soon will install a boulder fence system at Foster Park to reduce erosion and help preserve the park as a safe, fun place to visit, thanks to a $24,974 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The LCRA Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with nearly $25,000 in matching funds from the county, will allow for gate repairs and the addition of limestone blocks to prevent motorized traffic from driving along the riverbank at the park. The new boulders will serve as natural barriers to keep vehicles on designated roadways.
Tom Green County Commissioner Shawn Nanny said Foster Park, located about 15 miles from San Angelo, provides a serene space for outdoor activities, education and recreation.
“People would come from all over to enjoy family reunions, employer events and family camping,” Nanny said. “Lately, however, vehicle traffic has been damaging the park’s natural resources. This grant will enable us to implement an environmentally friendly solution that will protect the park while making it more enjoyable for visitors.”
Nanny said the addition of boulders and gate repairs also will help keep the park clean.
“Having the boulders will prevent people from parking along the riverbank and dumping trash into the water,” Nanny said. “It’s important to have a clean and safe park for the community. Pedestrians, especially children, need large safe areas to play without the risk of vehicle traffic. A cleaner and safer park encourages physical activity such as walking, camping and fishing, which promotes mental well-being.”
Nanny said the county appreciates LCRA and other entities working with local governments to help improve and preserve local parks and meet other community needs.
“These funds will be used toward improvements at Foster Park to help protect and promote our treasured natural resources,” said Nanny. “These improvements will help ensure the stability of our park for generations to come.”
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.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.
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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