The Confluence: Waterloo Greenway at Waller Creek in Downtown Austin
By Bryce Low
Austin's newest downtown destination has arrived. The Confluence opens June 6, transforming 13 acres along Waller Creek into a vibrant network of trails, bridges, green spaces, and gathering places in the heart of the city.
The Confluence Opens This Weekend
A major downtown Austin park is finally here
After three years of construction, downtown Austin is getting a major new public space. The Confluence—a 13-acre urban park along Waller Creek—opens to the public this Saturday, June 6. If you've been curious about what's been happening down there, this is your chance to check it out for free!
What's Opening
The Confluence is Phase Two of the Waterloo Greenway project, a $91.5 million investment transforming Waller Creek from 4th Street all the way down to Lady Bird Lake. The first phase, Waterloo Park, opened in 2021. This new section adds 13 acres of park space with trails, boardwalks, gathering areas, and significant ecological restoration.
Activities to do!
Walk and bike the trails
About one mile of continuous trails connects to the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, Palm Park, Rainey Street, and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. It's designed for easy walking and biking with accessible paths throughout.
Check out the boardwalk
There's an 800-foot boardwalk that goes right through Waller Creek, so you can walk along the water itself. It also connects different parts of the park without having to cross busy streets.
Cross the new bridges
Three lattice bridges provide new east-west crossings over the creek. They're designed to be visually interesting while making it easier to get around the park.
Hang out in public spaces
The park includes the Lakeview Terrace, Explorers Garden, and Leaf Deck—spaces designed for events, picnics, group hangouts, or just sitting with a view of Lady Bird Lake.
See restored nature
The project planted 1,500 trees and about 200,000 mature plants. It also restored the creek ecosystem and built systems to handle stormwater better, so the area is more resilient to flooding.
Grand Opening Details
When
Saturday, June 6, 2026
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where
Waller Creek
Between 4th Street & Lady Bird Lake
Activities
Ribbon cutting, park tours, live music, art, family activities
Cost
Free admission
Parking & Getting There
Event parking is available for $5 at the Austin Convention Center 5th Street Garage (601 E. 5th Street). If you prefer, rideshare or public transit work well for getting to the area.
Why This Matters for Downtown Austin
The Confluence is a major piece of what Austin is building in its downtown core. It's connecting neighborhoods, giving people more reasons to spend time outdoors, and making the city more walkable. This is exactly the kind of public investment that shapes how a city feels.
The project represents years of collaboration between the city, community organizations, and private partners. It's the kind of development work that's not always visible when you're driving around, but it makes a real difference in quality of life.
Go Check It Out
Whether you're into trails, parks, live music, or just want to see what's new in downtown, this is worth a Saturday morning. The park will be open to the public after the grand opening event, so you can come back anytime.
Have you walked along Waller Creek before? Or planning to check out the grand opening this weekend? Let me know what you think once it opens.
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