Waterloo Greenway will present an updated vision for Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park on April 25 and 27 with an opportunity for community members to share feedback. The future design is based on more than six months of community input, and celebrates Palm Park’s history and future as a place for families and children in Downtown Austin.
Palm Park Conversations
Thursday, April 25
6:00 PM –7:30 PM
6:15 PM presentation
Martin Middle School
1601 Haskell Street, Austin, TX 78702
Saturday, April 27
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
10:45 AM presentation
Eastside Early College High School
900 Thompson Street, Austin, TX 78702
Conversations are free and open to the public; snacks and refreshments will be provided.
All Austinites are invited to learn about the progress of the Waterloo Greenway project and provide feedback on the future of Palm Park. During the conversations, visitors will have the opportunity to speak with design team members and share feedback on important park improvements and amenities.
A family-centric design builds upon the history of Palm Park as a space for children’s play. The park space historically served as the playground for Palm School, which stood in service to the communities of East Austin for over 80 years before closing in 1976, and was among the first elementary schools in Austin.
The 1.8-acre park space will preserve the historic shelter house, while incorporating exciting brand-new amenities such as play spaces for children of all ages, relaxing areas for caretakers, and communal areas for gatherings.
Throughout 2023, more than 2000 community members engaged on the design development of Palm Park in two previous rounds of community conversations. The community overwhelmingly shared their interest in family & play amenities, gathering spaces, natural areas, and a strong community identity. The upcoming April conversations represent an important next step in the community engagement process for Palm Park, anticipated to break ground in 2026. The park will be funded through a combination of public funding through the City of Austin Austin Parks and Recreation Department and philanthropic donations. Fundraising is underway to achieve an anticipated 2026 groundbreaking.
Background
Waterloo Greenway Conservancy is working in partnership with Austin Parks and Recreation Department to restore Palm Park as part of its third phase in a connected 1.5-mile park system.
Since 2016, Waterloo Greenway has listened to community members share their memories and experiences at Palm Park, and looks to continue building upon the park’s rich Mexican-American history, serving Austin as a family-friendly space celebrating nature, culture, and play. Portions of Palm Park are currently being used as construction staging and work areas within Waterloo Greenway’s Phase II: The Confluence. Work in this phase includes creek reconstruction and trail connectivity elements from 4th Street to Lady Bird Lake, including at Palm Park. The opening of Waterloo Park and Moody Amphitheater in 2021 marked the first phase of Waterloo Greenway.
For more information, please visit waterloogreenway.org/future or follow Waterloo Greenway on Facebook/Instagram @WaterlooGreenway and Twitter @WaterlooGW.
About Waterloo Greenway
Waterloo Greenway Conservancy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create and maintain an extraordinary urban park system and a restored Waller Creek, in partnership with the City of Austin, for the benefit of all. The Conservancy renews the natural environment, promotes play, health and wellness, economic vitality and mobility, and engages the community through outreach, education, cultural events, and the arts.