03 May New Waller Creek Boathouse

This month (May 2012) Austin celebrates the completion of the new Waller Creek Boathouse which replaces two former Parks and Recreation Boathouses. The location is 74 Trinity (street side) and at the lagoon where the Waller Creek tunnel meets Lady Bird Lake.  The docks will provide ample opportunity for the community to launch canoes, kayaks, and even paddleboards. The boathouse will soon house a cafe on its upper level for hanging out with a lakeside view.

The new Waller Creek Boathouse will be managed and operated by the Austin Rowing Club (ARC) who will store their boats and office there as well as provide canoe and kayak rentals and different rowing programs for the public. This boathouse will also boost Austin's international rowing profile and enhance our opportunities to host rowing tournaments. View the KXAN Article here.

The redevelopment project for Waller Creek started as a need to mitigate flooding but has turned into a major redevelopment of the area between Lady Bird Lake and Waterloo Park as a walkable mixed use development with a variety of activities for visitors. Some people have compared this to a San Antonio Riverwalk-type project but it seems that more natural areas will be kept in tact and/or restored here by establishing a constant flow of water through the tunneling project.

The $3.3 million project, funded by the Waller Creek Tunnel Project Tax Increment Financing Plan, included the construction of the boathouse, improvements to parkland surrounding the structure, vehicle maintenance access and equipment storage space for the tunnel outlet facility.

You can view the Waller Creek Conservancy's Newsletter Here.

MOVING PARTY! Construction of the boathouse is complete and on Saturday, May 5th, from 9:00am – 5:00pm you can join the team of folks helping move all the boats and equipment from the adjoining lot to the new Boathouse. Wear closed-toe shoes and be prepared to lift and carry.  As it is Cinco De Mayo and the nearby Mexican-American Cultrual Center will be packed with partiers, you are urged to ride your bike, walk or take a bus. Nearly every major line in town stops at Cesar Chavez and Congress, just a few blocks away.