LCRA awards $25,000 grant for musical playground at Friendship Park

Sensory playground and new shade structure will create unique, inclusive play area for children of all abilities

MAY 8, 2025

LCRA representatives present a $25,000 grant to the City of El Campo for a new musical playground and shade structure at Friendship Park. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Alex Brown, city parks department; Kate Ramzinski, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Pedro Chavez, city parks department supervisor; Kevin Thompson, public works director; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; Stephen F. Cooper, LCRA Board chair; and Dustin Flores, Corey Granados and Raymond Moreno, city parks department.

EL CAMPO, Texas – The City of El Campo soon will begin construction on a musical playground and new shade structure in Friendship Park, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $29,756 in matching funds from the city, will enable the city to construct a fun, engaging environment for children to play while learning fine and gross motor skills. The playground will be the first of its kind in Wharton County and is designed to stimulate children’s senses through interactive, sound-based equipment that supports cognitive and physical development.

“This is a groundbreaking project in El Campo,” said Courtney Sladek, El Campo city manager. “It’s rare to have an offering like a musical playground in a rural community that will allow kids to express themselves and connect with others in a meaningful way.”

Sladek said park attendance has risen considerably since the El Campo Soccer League began hosting games there, making Friendship Park a natural fit for the new addition.

The new park will be open to all but will specifically cater to children with sensory processing disorders, developmental disabilities and those who need more diverse interactive forms of play.

“The new playground at Friendship Park is a true representation of our commitment to making El Campo accessible for everyone,” Sladek said. “This grant will help us create meaningful play experiences for children with diverse needs in our community.”

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.

Contact Info

Clara Tuma, Public Information Officer
512-578-3292
[email protected]
After hours: 512-944-6719