What is Waterloo Park and where is it located?

Waterloo Park is an 11-acre park located at 500 E 12th St in downtown Austin, Texas. It serves as the critical first phase of the 1.5-mile-long Waterloo Greenway.

What features and amenities can I find at the park?

The park features hike-and-bike trails, stunning Hill Country gardens, welcoming gathering spaces, and the 5,000-capacity Moody Amphitheater. Additionally, 95 percent of the park's plant species are native to central Texas.

What kind of events are hosted here?

The park hosts year-round concerts, cultural events, and community festivals at the Moody Amphitheater. Historically, it has been home to iconic Austin experiences such as Spamarama, Pachanga, Fun Fun Fun Fest, Mess with Texas, and the Ice Cream Festival.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Waterloo Park in Austin

Waterloo Park

Discover Waterloo Park, an 11-acre urban oasis in downtown Austin. As the vibrant first phase of the Waterloo Greenway, it features native Hill Country gardens, hike-and-bike trails, and the spectacular 5,000-capacity Moody Amphitheater.

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What to know

Waterloo Park is an 11-acre downtown Austin sanctuary located at 500 E 12th St. Managed through the City of Austin’s first public-private partnership with the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, this park serves as the critical first phase of the 1.5-mile Waterloo Greenway. This ambitious greenway project winds along Waller Creek to connect East Austin with the downtown core, transforming previously blighted spaces into a continuous chain of natural and cultural environments. The park's design is a brilliant engineering and ecological feat. It is built directly around and over the massive flood control tunnel inlet for Waller Creek, turning essential flood infrastructure into a public spectacle. Prior to this redevelopment, the area was highly prone to severe flooding. Today, the park educates visitors on historical floods and ongoing creek restoration. Highlighting its commitment to the local ecosystem, ninety-five percent of the park's plant species are native to central Texas, which reduces irrigation needs and supports native pollinators. Beyond its ecological functions, Waterloo Park is a premier cultural hub. It features the stunning Moody Amphitheater, an outdoor venue with a capacity of 5,000 that hosts year-round concerts, community festivals, and cultural events. The park has a rich history of hosting authentically Austin events since 1978, including Spamarama, Pachanga, Fun Fun Fun Fest, Mess with Texas, and the Ice Cream Festival. With its scenic hike-and-bike trails and lush Hill Country gardens, the park attracted 270,000 total visitors in 2023, including 48,000 non-event visitors who came simply to enjoy the peaceful urban landscape.

Visitor tips

Look out for free community events and programs hosted regularly throughout the park.
Check the concert schedule for live music and festivals at the 5,000-capacity Moody Amphitheater.
Combine your visit with a walk down the greenway toward The Confluence, the newly completed second phase of the project.

Nearby context

Waterloo Park serves as the gateway to the Waterloo Greenway, a developing 1.5-mile park system winding along Waller Creek in downtown Austin. Just downstream, you can connect to The Confluence, the project's second phase which completed substantial construction in June 2026. This nearby 13-acre restoration project has stabilized the creek banks and introduced over 200,000 new plants and 1,600 trees, creating a continuous, vibrant green corridor that links downtown Austin directly with Lady Bird Lake.

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