LCRA awards $25,000 grant for improvements to Finger Memorial Park

New rainwater catchment system and solar lighting will support water conservation, improve safety and expand recreational opportunities in D’Hanis area

Nov. 13, 2026

Key Takeaways

• LCRA awards a $25,000 grant to the Joe Finger Youth Benefit Fund for a new rainwater catchment system and solar lighting at Finger Memorial Park in D’Hanis.
• The improvements will help conserve water, maintain trees and landscaping, improve safety and extend opportunities for evening recreation and community activities.
• The grant is one of 43 being awarded through LCRA’s Community Grants program through December. LCRA will accept applications in January for the next round of grants.

MEDINA COUNTY, Texas – The Joe Finger Youth Benefit Fund soon will install a rainwater catchment system and solar lighting at Finger Memorial Park to improve water conservation and expand recreational opportunities, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The LCRA Community Grant, along with $12,004 in matching funds from the benefit fund, will help fund improvements to the park’s pavilion, including a system to capture and store rainwater and solar lights to provide safe, energy-efficient lighting for evening activities. The improvements will help maintain trees and landscaping and expand opportunities for youth sports, outdoor recreation and community gatherings.

“In Southwest Texas, where rainfall is limited and high temperatures make it challenging to maintain green spaces, capturing and reusing rainwater will help us care for the trees and landscaping that provide shade and make outdoor activities more comfortable,” said Linda Finger, director and trustee of the Joe Finger Youth Benefit Fund. “The solar lighting will allow families, youth sports teams and other community groups to safely enjoy the park into the evening hours. Together, these improvements will help us create a more comfortable, sustainable gathering place for our community.”

Finger said the grant is especially meaningful to the organization given the limited resources available in the small, unincorporated community of D’Hanis, allowing it to move forward with improvements that otherwise may not have been possible.

“We are extremely grateful to LCRA for this grant, which will help us continue growing and improving Finger Memorial Park for our community,” Finger said. “By reducing our water and electricity costs through these improvements, we can put more of our limited resources toward maintaining the park and developing additional amenities for local families to enjoy.”

This is one of 43 grants awarded recently through LCRA Community Grants. These grants are awarded twice a year as part of LCRA’s effort to give back to communities in its wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January. More information is available at www.lcra.org/grants.

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About LCRA

The Lower Colorado River Authority serves communities across Texas by managing the lower Colorado River, generating and transmitting wholesale electric power, providing clean water supplies, operating telecommunications infrastructure, and owning parks for outdoor recreation. LCRA delivers power, water and infrastructure that support the region’s growth and quality of life. 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. Created by the Texas Legislature in 1934, LCRA receives no state appropriations.