LCRA awards $25,000 grant to City of Cuero for playground improvements

New LED lighting, picnic tables will improve safety and extend evening recreation opportunities

Nov. 9, 2026

Key Takeaways

  • LCRA awards a $25,000 grant to the City of Cuero to replace outdated lighting and picnic tables at the playground in Cuero Municipal Park.
  • Energy-efficient LED lighting will improve visibility and make the playground more accessible to families during evening hours, while new picnic tables will provide updated gathering spaces.
  • 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.

LCRA representatives present a $25,000 grant to the City of Cuero for playground improvements at Cuero Municipal Park. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Grants program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Kati Klores and daughter Ryanne Klores, community members; Elizabeth Ehlers, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Mark Mayo and Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board members; Wayne Berger, city manager; Velma Garza, community member; David Danish, parks director; Emil Garza, mayor; Shawna Schultze and daughter Raegan Schultze, community members; and Rhonda Stastny, grants/special projects director.

CUERO, Texas – The City of Cuero soon will replace outdated lighting and picnic tables at the children’s playground in Cuero Municipal Park, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The LCRA Community Grant, along with $9,060 in matching funds from the City of Cuero, will help replace aging fixtures with energy-efficient LED lighting and install new picnic tables. The improvements will enhance visibility, extend opportunities for evening recreation and provide more comfortable seating for visitors.

“Cuero Municipal Park is used throughout the year, whether families are visiting the playground, swimming pool, splash pad or pickleball courts,” said Cuero City Manager Wayne Berger. “We’ve heard concerns from residents about how dark the playground gets in the evening. When someone gets off work at 5 o’clock and wants to take their children to the park, especially when the days are getting shorter, we want them to be able to enjoy that time together in a well-lit, safe environment.”

The new LED fixtures will provide more consistent lighting while using significantly less electricity than the existing metal halide fixtures. The city also anticipates reduced maintenance needs and lower long-term operating costs.

The project also will replace picnic tables that have been in place for more than 20 years. The new expanded metal tables will provide seating for parents watching their children play and places for families to enjoy meals and spend time together.

“Sometimes families just want to bring a snack, sit down and relax while their children play,” Berger said. “The picnic tables we are replacing have seen a lot of use over the years and replacing them will make the playground a more comfortable place to spend time. Together with the lighting upgrades, we’re making improvements that will help families get more enjoyment out of the park. We appreciate LCRA’s continued support of projects that help us improve public spaces for our residents.”

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. The City of Cuero is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.

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

Contact Info

Clara Tuma
512-578-3292
After hours: 512-944-6719
[email protected]

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.