Waller Creek Flood Tunnel & Trail Update Thread

[drummer]

Originally Posted by ahealy

As long as it's not littered with trash and unhoused ppl, it's a win.

I thought about mentioning something about that in my post. Ultimately, I want greenery and I want it to be as close to natural as it can get when re-wilding an area. 1000% agree with the fact that we HAVE TO KEEP IT CLEAN. Otherwise, while greenspace is still a net win from afar, it may as well be a concrete drainage ditch like other areas from an enjoyability standpoint.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by drummer

I thought about mentioning something about that in my post. Ultimately, I want greenery and I want it to be as close to natural as it can get when re-wilding an area. 1000% agree with the fact that we HAVE TO KEEP IT CLEAN. Otherwise, while greenspace is still a net win from afar, it may as well be a concrete drainage ditch like other areas from an enjoyability standpoint.

Yep! Wasted $$ spent if it's too gross/dangerous to enjoy. Here's hoping Austin keeps it clean

[gillynova]

Nice little sign near Rainey:



Mexican American Cultural Center

[clubtokyo]

That looks nice!

[rayfes]

so the MACC put a deck on the outdoor area and a fence to keep trail users out?

[AustinInAustin]

There is still an entrance to the trail just left of the fence there.

Originally Posted by rayfes

so the MACC put a deck on the outdoor area and a fence to keep trail users out?

[atxsnail]

Waterloo Greenway set the date for the grand opening of the next part of phase II: The Confluence for June 6.

Here are the details:

Waterloo Greenway Phase II: The Confluence – Grand Opening
Location: The Confluence
Date: June 6, 2026
Join Waterloo Greenway Conservancy and the City of Austin on Saturday, June 6, 2026 for the landmark grand opening of The Confluence, the second phase of the Waterloo Greenway project. This transformative addition to Austin’s urban landscape represents years of collaboration, community input, innovative design, and environmental restoration.

Waterloo Greenway Phase II: The Confluence marks a pivotal achievement in the transformation of Waller Creek into a world-class urban park system. This new phase features:

• Reconstruction and stabilization of the creek banks and improved water quality from 4th St. to Lady Bird Lake.
• Robust native Central Texas creek landscapes featuring over 200,000 new plants and 1,600 new trees providing shade, habitat, and improved access to nature in the heart of Downtown Austin.
• Three lattice bridges providing new east-west pedestrian connections over Waller Creek.
• An 800-foot-long boardwalk embedded in Waller Creek, bypassing intersections at Red River St. and Cesar Chavez St.
• A continuous, off-street bike and pedestrian trail connecting the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, Palm Park, Rainey St., and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail.
• New public gathering spaces including a Lagoon Overlook and Leaf Deck adjacent to Lady Bird Lake.
• The shaded, family-friendly Lakeview Terrace and Explorers Garden.
• A new connection to Waller Creek and the Waterloo Greenway Trail at 4th St. with the Cypress Grove and Trailhead Plaza.

[atxsnail]

Originally Posted by rayfes

so the MACC put a deck on the outdoor area and a fence to keep trail users out?

Probably more like keep attendees of evening events at the MACC from falling off the ledge in low light

[drummer]

Originally Posted by atxsnail

Probably more like keep attendees of evening events at the MACC from falling off the ledge in low light

Yeah, that's what I'm kinda thinking as well. It's not intended to be a step, so it's likely more for safety than anything else.

[Urbannizer]

[clubtokyo]

The tagging..... at least be creative with the graffiti......

[Armybrat]

Tagging without authorization is nothing but vandalism.
It is mostly trash & “uglyfies” the scenery.

[Armybrat]

Tagging without authorization is nothing but vandalism.
It is mostly trash & “uglyfies” the scenery.


Tastefully done murals are a totally different story.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by Armybrat

Tagging without authorization is nothing but vandalism.
It is mostly trash & “uglyfies” the scenery.


Tastefully done murals are a totally different story.

It's truly amazing how many people with zero artistic talent are walking around with spray paint.

[Armybrat]

What is the targetdate for completion of the Waller Creek project all the way down from Waterloo Park?

[texastarkus]

Originally Posted by Armybrat

What is the targetdate for completion of the Waller Creek project all the way down from Waterloo Park?

Wasn't it about three years ago? Seems to me this project has taken quite a long time to complete. The big dig in Boston wrapped up sooner.

[Armybrat]

Maybe all the highrise and convention center construction/demolition has screwed with the schedule?

[drummer]

Originally Posted by The ATX

It's truly amazing how many people with zero artistic talent are walking around with spray paint.

There should be a required artistic audition for spray paint purchases, in addition to being 18 (I think that's already in place).

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by Armybrat

What is the targetdate for completion of the Waller Creek project all the way down from Waterloo Park?

It is being done in stages. This (second?) stage is supposed to be finished sometime this year. I believe the stages have been staggered due to the time it takes time to raise funds. This project is largely dependent on philanthropy. So the next stage likely won't start until enough money is available.

There is a web site for the project that lays out the stages. I haven't looked at it in a while. It's easily Google-able.

[lonewolf]

https://waterloogreenway.org/future/