New playground equipment and landscaping will make park safer, more welcoming
Richland Springs City Park will receive new playground equipment and native landscaping, thanks to a $9,600 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $2,400 in matching funds, will enable the City of Richland Springs Beautification Committee to replace rusty and dangerous playground equipment and add native landscaping and flowering plants in the park.
“We are thrilled to be able to update our city park with the generous funds from LCRA,” said Paige Moats, president of beautification committee. “The current equipment, which is probably about 50 years old, is dangerous and outdated. The new equipment, along with natural shade and landscaping, will greatly enhance the use of the park and enjoyment of our residents.”
The park provides a safe, fun place for visitors to exercise, play and congregate. Richland Springs has a population of about 350, and the surrounding communities have a population of about 3,000 people.
The park sits on a major highway and is the most visible attraction in Richland Springs. It’s the site for the city’s annual Fourth of July festival, which often draws large crowds from San Saba and surrounding counties.
Moats said the beautification committee plans to add trees or a shade structure, as well as plant hummingbird- and butterfly-attracting plants in the park’s existing raised plant beds. “The park was created in 1998 with a grant from LCRA, but hasn't been updated since,” Moats said. “If we hadn't received the grant, our park would continue to decline and be dangerous and unappealing.”
The community grant is one of 28 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA’s wholesale electric and water 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 July 1-31. More information is available at <lcra.org/cdpp>.