MAKE AUSTIN GREEN AGAIN
Waterloo Greenway embarks on second phase of revitalization in downtown Austin
A comprehensive revitalization plan for Waller Creek is now in its second phase, continuing construction of a 1.5-mile greenway from Waterloo Park to Lady Bird Lake. The project is the next step in an ongoing collaborative effort between nonprofit Waterloo Greenway Conservancy and the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection and Parks and Recreation departments.
This second phase, fittingly named The Confluence, will be located at the center of several downtown Austin recreational attractions, including the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, the Austin Convention Center, Rainey Street District, and more.
“The Confluence will directly connect people with one of the most beautiful natural areas in Austin, as well as some of our city’s most beloved cultural and historic destinations,” said Mayor Kirk Watson in a statement. “The City of Austin is proud to partner with Waterloo Greenway to inject new life into this section of Waller Creek through this legacy project, which will benefit our community for generations to come.”
Some highlighted features of The Confluence include:
- Three pedestrian suspension bridges
- A universally-accessible pedestrian and bike trail that connects 4th Street to Lady Bird Lake
- An 800-foot boardwalk under Cesar Chavez Street
- Public green spaces that can be used for community gatherings, such as Lagoon Overlook, Explorer Garden, and Lakeview Terrace
- The planting of 1,550 new trees and 200,000 mature plants to help improve air quality downtown and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
In the release, Waterloo Greenway CEO Jesús Aguierre explained how The Confluence will “completely transform” the area between Waller Creek and Lady Bird Lake, while reconstructing sections of fallen creek banks that have eroded after decades of flooding.
“The Confluence will … [restore] the health of the creek and [give] visitors new green spaces to explore, gather in, and enjoy, in one of the densest and fastest growing parts of Downtown Austin,” said Aguirre. “Our mission at Waterloo Greenway is to create a connected urban park system that promotes the wellbeing of our community, our environment and our local economy — and the groundbreaking of The Confluence represents the next step in delivering on that promise to the people of Central Texas.”
Phase II of the Waterloo Greenway project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, after which they will begin their final phase of revitalizing Palm Park and complete the 1.5-mile park system.
More information about Waterloo Greenway can be found on their website.