As we close out 2025, we’re filled with gratitude for a year that brought remarkable progress, joyful community gatherings, and well-deserved recognition to Waterloo Greenway. From successful park programs to major construction milestones, this year proved that when a community comes together around shared green space, extraordinary things happen.
Building the Future: Phase II Takes Shape
The Confluence construction reached many significant milestones this year, keeping us on track for Summer 2026 completion, including:
- Completed the Leaf Deck & Outdoor Classroom
- Wrapped up construction of the 800-foot boardwalk along Waller Creek
- Furnished lighting throughout the project area
- Planted large trees that will shade future generations
- Built the creek bed south of 3rd Street
- Installed permeable pavement to support sustainable water management
We also celebrated two major moments at The Confluence in 2025, offering a hint of what Phase II will accomplish in reshaping our urban landscape.
The Hartman Bridge opened to the public in January. The pedestrian and bike-friendly bridge isn’t just a beautiful structure – it improves the trail experience and serves as a connector that advances our vision of a safe, accessible, vibrant, and nature-infused downtown Austin.
The Biofiltration Pond was completed in October. This green infrastructure feature not only manages stormwater and improves water quality, but also enhances habitat for local wildlife, provides access to nature for our community, and represents Waterloo Greenway’s broader commitment to both beauty and environmental functionality.
New Leadership for a New Chapter
Waterloo Greenway Conservancy welcomed Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette as our new CEO in Spring 2025. Dr. Burnette is a respected community builder whose civic passion and expertise will guide us through the completion of Waterloo Greenway. Her leadership has already made an impact, as evidenced by her recognition with the Austin Business Journal’s Women in Business Award in August and as a 2025 Visionary Community Leader by Junior Achievement of Central Texas in November – a testament to her visionary approach, commitment to community, and dedication to our mission.
Recognition & Awards
The accolades kept coming in 2025, affirming that Waterloo Greenway is becoming a destination of regional and national significance.
- USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Amphitheater in the U.S.
- 2025 Texas Travel Award for Revitalization
- Environmental Champion Award from the Greater Austin Business Awards
- Finalist in the Next Big Idea category at the Urban Land Institute Austin’s annual awards
- Certificate of appreciation by Austin Parks & Recreation Department Community PARKnerships, in honor or our Park Operations team and Park Ambassadors
- The American Society of Landscape Architects awarded the 2025 Honor Award in General Design to Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates for their design work on Waterloo Park
- One of our beloved Live Oak trees on the Meredith Heritage Tree Deck received the TreeFolks 2025 Austin Tree of the Year Award in the Story Category – a fitting recognition for a tree that has witnessed so much of Austin’s history over its 200+ year lifespan so far.
Caring for Our Urban Oasis
Behind the scenes, our Park Operations team worked year-round to maintain and enhance Waterloo Park, from the lawns and playground to all the plants and trees throughout the park’s 11 acres! Our Park Ambassador partners helped keep the park clean and safe, thanks to our partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance.
Tree maintenance was conducted by PARD Forestry and Clean Scapes arborists, plus a Board Certified Master Arborist who performed a scheduled check-up on Tree 232 using tomography scanning technology.
Major landscaping maintenance took place in August and December, including tasks such as pruning and fertilization on the park’s eight transplant trees, annual compost tea application on the lower amphitheater lawn, and organic lawn care to promote root growth, improve drainage, and replenish nutrients. We like to think we were giving the lawn some well-deserved “self-care” time after our busy programming and concert season.
Special park partnerships blossomed in 2025:
- Over 25 volunteers joined in February for our annual Spring Park Prep Days, pruning and planting to get the park ready for spring.
- Waterloo Greenway became an official Texas Master Naturalist Program partner, offering volunteer opportunities while enabling community members to assist in stewarding and preserving our city’s natural resources.
- Travis Audubon conducted quarterly birding surveys, documenting the diverse bird species that call Waterloo Park home, and led several birding walks during migration season when the lush vegetation along Waller Creek provides excellent habitat.
- Volunteers helped on multiple fall days with monarch butterfly tagging, coordinated with Monarch Watch. These efforts are part of a “large-scale community science project” where volunteers contribute to important scientific research on monarch migration patterns and population health.
Signature Events Supporting our Mission
In April, our signature community celebration and fundraiser Pop-Up Picnic returned to Waterloo Park, bringing friends and family together to enjoy curated picnic baskets from top local restaurants, live music, and the beautiful outdoors while supporting our mission. Save the date for the next Pop-Up Picnic on Saturday, April 18, 2026!
On October 2, we hosted our annual Glow in the Park fundraiser with dinner by MML and a concert by Lamont Landers, plus a live auction, all to help raise critical funds to keep Waterloo Greenway green and flourishing.
Events That Brought Our Community Together
This year’s programming calendar was bursting with community events, made possible by generous community-minded sponsors and partners.
The Spring and Fall programming seasons included our Waterloo Wellness healthy living series, including the ever-popular Yoga & Sound in partnership with Castle Hill Fitness, and children’s education programs like Morning Glories and Wild Waterloo.
We hosted our first-ever Two-Step Nights at Moody Amphitheater, presented in partnership with Native Texan Two Step. Dancers of all levels participated in lessons, embodying the true friendly spirit of Austin, as Los Texhombres played live music under the stars in May and All Hat No Cadillac kept the dance floor moving at the November event.
Día de los Muertos on November 1 & 2 transformed Moody Amphitheater into a community altar with vibrant flowers and offerings. Guests enjoyed the Mercado y Más artisan marketplace, plus music and dance performances that inspired reflection and celebration.
On November 12, Waterloo Greenway welcomed artists Teresa Hubbard and Alexander Birchler, University of Texas Tower Fellows, and supporters for a special viewing of the video art installation Past Deposits from a Future Yet to Come at Waterloo Park. Check out the Past Deposits viewing schedule!
Special community partner events in 2025 included:
- Girls+Outside field trips for K-12th grade AISD students
- Austin Urban Music & Cultural Festival, featuring music, markets, and free community wellness and workforce development fairs
- Sunday Sessions outdoor gathering, open to all, that centers on Austin’s black community with a focus on relaxation, wellness, and music that feeds the soul
- The Front Market presented by Future Front Texas, featuring independent artists, makers, designers, and craftspeople, with an emphasis on women and LGBTQ+ creatives
Looking Ahead with Gratitude
As we reflect on 2025, we’re grateful for our supportive community, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and committed partners who are helping build, maintain, activate, and grow Waterloo Greenway. Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to another year of growth, connection, and community togetherness at Waterloo Greenway!
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