A whopping 91,904 plants and 524 trees will fill the revitalized, 11-acre Waterloo Park in downtown Austin by summer 2021. More than 95% of the plantings are native to the area and were selected in a collaborative effort between local landscape architecture firm dwg., world-renowned architects at Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates, Inc., and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
The diverse mix of delicate plants that were incorporated into the Hill Country Gardens of Waterloo Park represent a wide range of species that are indigenous to Central Texas. “It’s a celebration of our native plants,” says dwg. Landscape Architect Cassie Bergstrom Gowan. “The plantings at Waterloo Park are a symphony of color that are geared toward attracting pollinators, hummingbirds, and other wildlife.”
In addition to the flourishing plants and canopy trees that will provide generous shade from day one, nearly 38,000 square feet of fresh grass will invite our community to lay (or play) on Waterloo Park’s Great Lawn. Developed by Oklahoma State University, Latitude 36 Bermuda Grass was specifically selected for this project because of its unique ability to withstand the heavy foot traffic of community events and concerts that will soon take place at the Moody Amphitheater.
Beneath the grass of the lower lawn that meets the venue’s stage, there are three different types of soil layered on top of six inches of sand. This provides the structural reinforcement needed to maximize the turf’s performance and reduce maintenance intervals year round. “The soil was specifically engineered to resist the compaction that will inherently come from chairs, mosh pits, or people jumping up and down during live music performances,” says dwg. Principal and Director of Quality Management Jason Radcliff.
As the Moody Amphitheater gets ready for its big debut, construction continues throughout Waterloo Park. Stay tuned for an announcement about this month’s virtual tour where you can get a closer look at the latest developments and ask us questions about the park’s tremendous progress!