Design Complete | Construction Begins Spring 2023
4th St. to Lady Bird Lake
Waterloo Greenway is a 1.5-mile park system with the power to bring the entire Austin community together. Once complete, the project will include 35 acres of connected green space made possible through a significant public-private partnership with the City of Austin. The opening of Waterloo Park and Moody Amphitheater in 2021 marked the first phase of Waterloo Greenway. Construction on Phase II: The Confluence begins this spring, representing the next step toward completing the park system.
At The Confluence, where the mouth of Waller Creek meets Lady Bird Lake, the creek is deeper and more ecologically diverse than anywhere else in the city. What better way for you to experience its abundant beauty than with a bird’s eye view? Three lightweight suspension bridges will drape across the newly restored delta landscape, creating stunning canopy walks with unrivaled vantage points, and vital new east-west connections. A stand of new bald cypress trees will create a sustainable habitat, welcoming visitors to a new creek-level trail and elevated boardwalk.
Significant environmental restoration at The Confluence will recreate a thriving ecosystem, with a resilient landscape to clean and manage stormwater runoff, in partnership with the Watershed Protection and Parks and Recreation Departments. Eroded, fallen creek banks showing the effects of historic flood events will be reconstructed – building upon the Waller Creek Flood Control Tunnel’s capacity for flood mitigation.
A lush new landscape of nearly 1,550 trees, 200,000 mature plants, and 10 acres of seed mixes will improve downtown air quality, improve ecosystem functions, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce the urban heat island effect. Park-goers will experience a one-of-a-kind immersive experience within 13-acres, including the deepest and most ecologically diverse section of Waller Creek.

Located at the southernmost point of Waterloo Greenway, The Confluence sits at the cultural epicenter of Palm Park, Rainey Street Historic District, Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, Convention Center, and Ann and Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail.
Lead support to-date for Phase II of Waterloo Greenway construction is provided by Buena Vista Foundation, Carmel and Tom Borders, Colin Corgan, Fondren Foundation, The Hartman Family, Love, Tito’s, Sugar Creek Foundation, Tejemos Foundation, and Waller Creek Owner LLC.
“We are thrilled to announce the selection of our construction partner, Jay‐Reese Contractors, who will help us bring the next phase of Waterloo Greenway to life and build upon their legacy of authentically-Austin projects. The Confluence is an incredible example of how we can celebrate and preserve our green spaces in the middle of one of the busiest and most rapidly growing areas of downtown Austin. This next phase is centered around nature and helping connect our community to many amazing historic and cultural downtown destinations.”
Jesús Aguirre, Waterloo Greenway CEO
About the Contractor
On Jan. 18, 2023, the City of Austin authorized an award and execution of a construction contract for The Confluence with Jay‐Reese Contractors, Inc. Jay-Reese Contractors have worked on many notable Austin projects including the Pfluger Bridge, Boardwalk Trail at Lady Bird Lake, and 2nd Street Bridge.
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The Vision
The Latest Progress
Construction contract approved for Waterloo Greenway’s second phase, The Confluence
The Confluence, formerly called the Creek Delta, is the continuation of the 35-acre Waterloo Greenway park and trail system along Waller Creek in downtown Austin. A public-private partnership between the City of Austin and Waterloo Greenway Conservancy help make this work possible.
Read More Construction contract approved for Waterloo Greenway’s second phase, The Confluence
Waterloo Greenway Awarded Historic $9M Federal Funding for Austin Green Space
Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, the City of Austin, and U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett announced monumental support by the federal government to propel the next important phase of Waterloo Greenway’s expansive park system project forward – The Confluence.
Read More Waterloo Greenway Awarded Historic $9M Federal Funding for Austin Green Space
Construction Interest – Discover Phase 2 of Waterloo Greenway, The Confluence
We invite you to learn more about Waterloo Greenway and our vision for a 1.5-mile vibrant park system, connecting Waterloo Park at 15th Street to Lady Bird Lake, with community gathering spaces, gardens, and trails around a restored Waller Creek.
Read More Construction Interest – Discover Phase 2 of Waterloo Greenway, The Confluence
First Pecan Tree Transplanted at The Confluence
On September 10, 2022, Waterloo Greenway relocated a 45” trunk diameter pecan tree to a new home along the southern end of Waller Creek in downtown Austin near the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center.
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.
Waterloo Greenway in the News
- KVUE: Construction to begin this spring on Waterloo Greenway Phase II: The Confluence
- KXAN: Waterloo Greenway phase two construction approved
- Community Impact: Construction contract for Waterloo Greenway’s second phase approved
- Austin Monitor: Contract kicks off second phase of Waterloo Greenway parks project
- Austin Chronicle: Federal Funds Flow Into Waterloo’s “Confluence”
- Austin Monitor: Waterloo Greenway gets $9M federal grant for second phase of parks system
- TOWERS: The Waterloo Greenway’s Next Phase Begins Later This Year on Waller Creek
- City of Austin Improves Resilience and Community Health Through Landscape Development in Parks and Green Spaces