Waller Creek parks renamed Waterloo Greenway

Confirming that its signature renovation of Waterloo Park is expected to open in a little over a year, the nonprofit Waller Creek Conservancy announced Wednesday that the string of urban parks it oversees along the creek in downtown Austin will henceforth be the Waterloo Greenway.

The new name refers to the entire 1.5-mile park system, 35 acres of connected green space taking shape along downtown’s eastern edge, from Lady Bird Lake to East 15th Street. The Waller Creek Conservancy will become known as the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy. The rebranding of the public-private partnership is a nod both to the historical name of the rough-hewn settlement that grew into Austin and to the functions of the winding pathway of green spaces already in use.

“This organization was established by a shared calling — to create a connected, inclusive and vibrant park system that would connect people to not only nature, but to one another,” conservancy CEO Peter Mullan said. “This is a major turning point for us. Up until now, our vision was aspirational. It was a concept, a collection of places and ideas, and it lacked a name to unify it. Now, it is tangible — something we can live, feel and experience together.”

In 2018, the conservancy rehabbed and then moved into Symphony Square, just downstream from Waterloo Park. The nonprofit has staged a numerous events there amid the historic stone structures and a 350-seat amphitheater that dates to the 1970s. Other projects have included the annual Creek Show of light art, the annual Palm Park Pop-Up Picnic and the temporary installation of Ai Weiwei’s “Forever Bicycles,” raised in partnership with the Contemporary Austin in 2017 at the mouth of Waller Creek and dismantled in May.

The Waterloo Park work includes the Moody Amphitheater, which will accommodate up to 5,000 people.

Working with community stakeholders over the past months, Bruce Mau Design helped shape the rebranding’s components, which include images of natural shapes and colors that evoke memories of paintings by French artist Henri Matisse, but also of the people who use the park system.

“Our goal in creating this brand platform was to embody the vibrancy of the local community, the playfulness of the park’s energy, and the diversity of experiences that will be shared here,” said Tom Keogh, managing director of Bruce Mau. “It’s an honor to work on a project that will profoundly impact a city as thriving and evolving as Austin. Our hope is that those who interact with Waterloo Greenway will feel inspired by the unexpected mix of natural and cultural delights found amidst a bustling urban setting.”

Recently, the conservancy has been an active participant in ongoing and complicated discussions among stakeholders, including the city of Austin and Travis County, about the future of the Austin Convention Center and the historic Palm School, since redevelopment of the adjacent Palm Park is part of the conservancy’s plans.

The conservancy announced in 2018 that World Class Holdings founder and CEO Nate Paul had teamed up with Vista Equity Partners co-founder and President Brian Sheth to pledge $5 million to its efforts. The duo challenged other business leaders to do the same. Last week, however, FBI and U.S. Treasury Department officials raided the offices of Paul’s company near Fourth Street and Congress Avenue. FBI spokeswoman Michelle Lee did not confirm or deny to the American-Statesman that his company was a target.

Did this action in any way affect Paul’s substantial pledge to the conservancy?

"Waller Creek Conservancy’s governing policy protects the privacy of our donors," said the group’s spokeswoman, Meredith Bossin, "and for that reason, we do not disclose the details of their financial support."

Tax-exempt charities like the conservancy are required by law to report their donations to the IRS and to make "returns available for public inspection without charge ... during regular business hours." The Statesman has requested those documents from the conservancy. The nonprofit's officials said they had filed for an extension with the IRS for 2018 and could not make them immediately available.

The $246 million campaign, which will use tax increment financing assessed on land in the creek’s flood plain and well as private donations, has started to produce tangible results.

“What Central Park is for New York City, Waterloo Greenway will be for Austin, Austin Mayor Steve Adler said. “Because of this project, Austin will be smarter, greener, healthier, more creative, more connected and more equitable.”