Waterloo Greenway Celebrates Opening The Confluence: New 13-Acre Project Along Waller Creek

Waterloo Greenway Conservancy and the city of Austin celebrated the opening of The Confluence on Saturday, June 6, marking a major milestone for the downtown parks system and the long-running effort to restore Waller Creek.

The 13-acre project, known as Phase II of Waterloo Greenway, stretches along Waller Creek between 4th Street and Lady Bird Lake. Years in the making, The Confluence brings together ecological restoration, public-private investment, community input and design to transform an eroded creek corridor into a more accessible and environmentally rich public space.

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Heidi Post, Elle Moody and Jimmy Gray. (Photo by Lauren Slusher Photography)

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Lauren Moorman, Tom Moorman and Paloma Moorman. (Photo by Lauren Slusher Photography)

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Melba Whatley, Ross Moody and Chris Mattsson. (Photo by Lauren Slusher Photography)

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Shaney Clemmons and Alyssa James. (Photo by Lauren Slusher Photography)

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Meg, Phil, Mary Beth and Molly Canfield. (Photo by Lauren Slusher Photography)

The grand opening celebration

Opening weekend began with a preview party at The Confluence, followed by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony the next morning. Thousands of guests gathered throughout the celebration to walk the new trails, explore the landscape and enjoy vendors, pop-ups and programming from event partners.

Located at the southernmost end of Waterloo Greenway, The Confluence connects several major Austin destinations, including Palm Park, the Rainey Street Historic District, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, the Austin Convention Center and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.

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The Confluence, located along Waller Creek between 4th Street and Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. (Photo by Lauren Slusher Photography)

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The Confluence includes an 800-foot boardwalk, three lattice pedestrian bridges and new gathering spaces along Waller Creek. (Photo by Lauren Slusher Photography)

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The Confluence is the second phase of Waterloo Greenway’s three-part restoration of Waller Creek in downtown Austin. (Photo by Lauren Slusher Photography)

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Guests attend The Confluence preview celebrating the opening of Waterloo Greenway’s newest phase in downtown Austin. (Photo by Lauren Slusher Photography)

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The Confluence creates new connections between Waller Creek, Palm Park, Rainey Street and Lady Bird Lake. (Photo by Lauren Slusher Photography)

Expanding Austin’s urban greenspace

Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and built by Jay-Reese Contractors Inc., the project reimagines the Waller Creek corridor with native plantings, shaded pathways, creekside overlooks and new gathering areas. The opening adds a significant stretch of greenspace to downtown Austin while creating stronger pedestrian connections between the city’s cultural, recreational and civic landmarks.

The debut of The Confluence marks the latest chapter in Waterloo Greenway’s vision for a connected park system along Waller Creek, offering Austinites and visitors a new place to gather, explore and experience the heart of downtown from a different perspective.

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