LCRA awards $25,000 grant for outdoor fitness court in Kenedy
New facility will provide a safe, free exercise space for all
APRIL 30, 2025
KENEDY, Texas – The City of Kenedy soon will begin construction on an outdoor fitness court, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $95,000 in matching funds from the city and community partners, and a $50,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign, will enable the city to provide a free space to work out and prioritize physical health and wellness.
“A large portion of our school district is made up of economically disadvantaged families, so they don’t have access to membership-based gyms, which can be quite expensive,” said Ben Reed, Kenedy Economic Development Corporation manager. “We have great park spaces here, but we were lacking more fitness-focused offerings, so this will serve as a central hub where much of the community can work out and utilize the fitness court.”
“Kenedy is a community that has grown quite a lot in recent years, and we are proud to be adding our first public fitness area,” said Melissa Gonzalez, city manager of Kenedy. “The health and fitness of our residents is a top priority for the city, and constructing an outdoor fitness court is the first step.”
She said the project will benefit residents of Kenedy, as well as surrounding towns such as Karnes City, Falls City and Runge.
“Access to facilities that promote health and wellness should be readily available to all,” Gonzalez said. “This new fitness court will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, allowing residents to work out when it’s most convenient to them.”
The community grant is one of 45 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 July 2025. 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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