Discover the future of Waterloo Greenway
About Sir Swante Palm Park
2nd St. to 3rd St., between Sabine St. and I-35
Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Austin, is working to restore Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park, with construction beginning in 2027.
Waterloo Greenway’s transformation of historic space will restore one of downtown Austin’s oldest public parks as a family-friendly gathering space connected to the larger 1.5-mile park system. Since 2015, the project team has been listening to community members who have shared their input on the future of Palm Park, as well as memories and experiences, particularly the Mexican-American history where generations have gathered to enjoy nature, culture, and play. The restored community destination will be rooted in nature, culture, history, and play.
Future improvements include restored native landscapes, enhanced trail connections, play amenities, family gathering spaces, immersive gardens, and the preservation and restoration of the historic Palm Park Shelter House.
History
We want to keep learning about our community’s history and the stories of Austinies with lived experience visiting and playing in Palm Park. Through a history study Waterloo Greenway completed in 2018, we dug deep into Austin history to help inform the future of Waterloo Greenway parks. Read short stories online about Palm Park and Waller Creek History and share your own memories at [email protected].
Working with the City of Austin
Waterloo Greenway is working in partnership with the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection and Park and Recreation Departments. For more information on the Waller Creek District and Tunnel, visit the City of Austin’s website.
Press
- Downloadable Renderings – Please Credit Waterloo Greenway Conservancy & Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.
Palm Park Shelter House Zoning and Preservation Update
Waterloo Greenway is excited to share news about the next step in the preservation and restoration of the historic Palm Park Shelter House.
The Palm Park Shelter House is one of a dozen early City of Austin park structures built in the 1930s and 1940s and designed by noted architect Hugo Kuehne. Intentionally designed to support the health and wellbeing of the community, it served a vital role for the nearby East Austin neighborhood as a space for play, connection, and shared experiences.
Last year, Waterloo Greenway received a Historic Preservation grant to support the design work needed to restore this important community landmark, ensuring rehabilitation efforts preserve the authenticity, purpose, and integrity of the original structure. In order to comply with grant requirements, Palm Park must be zoned as public land. Despite the generations of park use, Palm Park is currently listed as “Unzoned.” Correcting the zoning is an essential administrative step that allows the Shelter House to comply with historic preservation funding.
Austin City Council approved the initiation of this zoning process on May 8, and the process is on track to be completed by the end of the year to meet grant deadlines. This zoning change will allow the Shelter House to be restored, protected, and made fully functional again – part of Waterloo Greenway’s mission to protect public greenspace, honor cultural history, and return meaningful community use to a cherished city landmark.
Grant funding is made possible by the City of Austin Heritage Tourism Division.
Community Engagement
Thank you to all who participated in our Palm Park Conversations!
Waterloo Greenway presented an updated vision for Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park through a series of public conversations from summer 2023 to early 2024 to seek community feedback. The future design is based on 12 months of community input and celebrates Palm Park’s history and future as a place for families and children in Downtown Austin.
Your dedication to improving public greenspaces in our community is inspiring, and we are grateful for your continued support.
All of the feedback and insights we receive are invaluable in shaping the future of Waterloo Greenway, including the historic Palm Park in downtown Austin.
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Photos by Lauren Slusher
