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Discover the future of Waterloo Greenway

Past Event Hero Image
Palm Park
The Confluence

Phase II
The Confluence
Under Construction
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.

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:

  • Stabilization of the creek banks and improved water quality from 4th St. to Lady Bird Lake.
  • Improved access to nature along a restored Waterloo Greenway.
  • Three lattice bridges providing new east-west pedestrian connections over Waller Creek.
  • A continuous, elevated walkway connecting Palm Park to Rainey St. and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail.
  • A new Lagoon Overlook and Leaf Deck adjacent to the lake.
  • The shaded, family-friendly Lakeview Terrace and Explorers Garden.
  • A new connection to the creek 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.

Construction Status

August 2024: In the coming months, construction will focus 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, there will be a series of detours on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. The first detour started on July 22 and should last through the end of August. The second detour will start immediately afterwards and last into 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. 

Detours on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail

A series of detours of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail will be implemented to enable construction while accommodating continued use of the trail. We are avoiding detour routes that direct users to Cesar Chavez or other streets.

Questions?

Project Sponsor: Lana Denkeler, Project Manager, Parks and Recreation Department, 512-974-9414, Email Lana Denkeler

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

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The Vision

The Latest Progress

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