Discover the future of Waterloo Greenway
Phase II
The Confluence
Opening Saturday, June 6, 2026
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 August 2021 marked the first phase of Waterloo Greenway. Construction on Phase II: The Confluence began May 2023 and will open to the public in mid-2026, representing the next step toward completing the park system.
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.
Some highlights of The Confluence include:
- Reconstruction and stabilization of the creek banks and improved water quality from 4th St. to Lady Bird Lake.
- Robust native Central Texas creek landscapes featuring over 200,000 new plants and 1,600 new trees providing shade, habitat, and improved access to nature in the heart of Downtown Austin.
- Three lattice bridges providing new east-west pedestrian connections over Waller Creek.
- An 800-foot-long boardwalk embedded in Waller Creek, bypassing intersections at Red River St. and Cesar Chavez St.
- A continuous, off-street bike and pedestrian trail connecting the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, Palm Park, Rainey St., and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail.
- New public gathering spaces including a Lagoon Overlook and Leaf Deck adjacent to Lady Bird Lake.
- The shaded, family-friendly Lakeview Terrace and Explorers Garden.
- A new connection to Waller Creek and the Waterloo Greenway Trail at 4th St. with the Cypress Grove and Trailhead Plaza.
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.
Support for the construction of the Biofiltration Pond was made possible with monumental support by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This was the first infusion of federal funding for the Waterloo Greenway project. Due to Public Law 117-58, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2022, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dedicated $11 million to the restoration of Waller Creek, the first environmental infrastructure project to be approved in Texas under Section 5138 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.
Construction Status
June 2026: The Confluence, the second phase of the Waterloo Greenway project, opens to the public. This transformative addition to Austin’s urban landscape represents years of collaboration, community input, innovative design, and environmental restoration.
October 2025: The Biofiltration Pond, a transformative green infrastructure feature and critical component of the Confluence, was completed. The pond is now fully operational, improving water quality, removing trash and debris, and creating a more resilient ecosystem along Waller Creek and the broader downtown Austin area, treating 26.2 acres of urban stormwater. The feature is the only one of its kind in the downtown area.
September 2025: Major construction activity continues including installing lighting throughout the project, planting large trees extensively, building the creek bed south of 3rd St., installing permeable pavement, and completing the Leaf Deck and Outdoor Classroom.
January 2025: The Hartman Bridge, located over Waller Creek, officially opened to the public on the morning of January 27, 2025, with a celebratory event. The bridge opening marked a significant milestone in the development of Waterloo Greenway Phase II: The Confluence, as well as the urban landscape of downtown Austin.
The new pedestrian bridge replaced the previous one along the frequently-used Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. Wider with a new alignment, the new bridge facilitates smoother traffic movement and immerses people in the natural environment of Waller Creek, integrating nature with the city’s bustling atmosphere.
August 2024: Construction work continues on the installation of major new park and trail amenities south of Cesar Chavez St. To construct the lattice bridges, Lagoon Overlook, and Leaf Deck. A series of detours took place on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail July through October. Meanwhile, work continues to progress on other features including:
- A biofiltration pond to improve water quality in Waller Creek,
- A creek-level trail between 3rd and 4th Streets,
- An elevated walkway connecting Palm Park to Rainey St. and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, and
- The new Cypress Grove Bridge over Waller Creek at 4th St.
Questions?
Main Point of Contact: Ana Seivert, Capital Delivery Project Manager, Capital Delivery Services Department, 512-974-3566, Email Ana Seivert
Project Sponsor: Melissa Carugati, PMP | Project Manager, Watershed Protection Department, 512-974-8082, Email Melissa Carugati
Project Sponsor: Lana Denkeler, Project Manager, Parks and Recreation Department, 512-974-9414, Email Lana Denkeler
Get Involved
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The Vision
The Latest Progress
Waterloo Greenway Celebrates Completion of Biofiltration Pond
Waterloo Greenway, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the City of Austin, and U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett Celebrate Significant Milestone for the WG Project with Completion of Biofiltration Pond in Phase II: The Confluence On October 24, 2025, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the City…
Read More Waterloo Greenway Celebrates Completion of Biofiltration Pond
Take a sneak peek at Waterloo Greenway Phase II: The Confluence
Weaving natural spaces into downtown Austin’s growing urban landscape, the new greenspaces of Phase II (13 acres!) will help foster community, connection, and sustainability beside the most ecologically diverse section of Waller Creek, located between 4th St. and Lady Bird Lake. As construction continues on Phase II, we are seeing significant…
Read More Take a sneak peek at Waterloo Greenway Phase II: The Confluence
Creek Show Moves to Waterloo Greenway Phase II: The Confluence, Returning Bigger and Brighter in 2026
Waterloo Greenway’s Beloved Light-Based Art Event Reimagined to Celebrate the Opening of Phase II: The Confluence, Highlighting the Newest Chapter of the Park Project. After a decade of lighting up upper Waller Creek, Creek Show is on the move, heading downstream to its most exciting home yet – Waterloo Greenway…
HARTMAN BRIDGE NOW OPEN AT WATERLOO GREENWAY SECOND PHASE
Waterloo Greenway Marks a Milestone with the Opening of the Hartman Bridge on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail Austin, TX — January 27, 2025 – After several months of detours along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail for Waterloo Greenway Phase II: The Confluence, a newly…
Read More HARTMAN BRIDGE NOW OPEN AT WATERLOO GREENWAY SECOND PHASE
Third phase of detours on the Butler Hike and Bike Trail starts September 30
Detours are needed to construct new pedestrian bridges over Waller Creek and the Lagoon Overlook and Leaf Deck A new detour route on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Waller Creek will be put into place on Monday, September 30, and is scheduled to remain…
Read More Third phase of detours on the Butler Hike and Bike Trail starts September 30
Trail Detours Start Soon Along Hike and Bike Trail Near Waller Creek
Series of detours start soon along Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Waller Creek The detours are to construct new pedestrian bridges over Waller Creek and the Lagoon Overlook and Leaf Deck. Over the next several months, users of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and…
Read More Trail Detours Start Soon Along Hike and Bike Trail Near Waller Creek
Confluence Update: New 142-Foot Bridge Installed Across Lower Waller Creek
On Friday, May 24, Waterloo Greenway welcomed a new 142-foot truss bridge over Waller Creek as part of phase two of the park project, The Confluence. The lightweight lattice bridge is the first of three to be installed south of Cesar Chavez St. that will provide new east-west access…
Read More Confluence Update: New 142-Foot Bridge Installed Across Lower Waller Creek
Waterloo Greenway 2023 Community Report
In 2023, we welcomed more than 270,000 park visitors, hosted 30 concerts at Moody Amphitheater, offered more than 140 free community programs, and worked hand-in-hand with more volunteers than ever before. To top it off, we broke ground on Phase II: The Confluence and launched the design development for Phase…
Construction Continues at Phase II of Waterloo Greenway: The Confluence
Construction on Waterloo Greenway’s Phase II: The Confluence is well underway, with significant progress made in the last few months. This phase of the project is revitalizing Waller Creek from 4th St. to Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, and has been a massive undertaking by the City of…
Read More Construction Continues at Phase II of Waterloo Greenway: The Confluence
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
- Culture Map: Waterloo Greenway embarks on second phase of revitalization in downtown Austin
- Community Impact: Waterloo Greenway’s second phase breaks ground
- Austin Monitor: The Confluence marks next phase for Waterloo Greenway parks system
- KXAN: Waterloo Greenway Redesign Underway
- CBS: City leaders break round on Phase 2 of Waterloo Greenway’s Waller Creek revitalization
- TOWERS: Here’s How the Waterloo Greenway’s Second Phase Transforms Waller Creek
- KVUE: Renderings released for Waterloo Greenway Phase II: The Confluence
- 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
