Palm Park Reopens Today with New Creek Access

Austin, TX · June 3, 2026

Wednesday brings the first chance to walk the restored banks of Waller Creek at Palm Park. The construction fences are finally coming down this morning, just in time for the summer heat.

📰 The Lead

After two years of construction and decades of community advocacy, the first phase of the Palm Park restoration project officially opens to the public this morning. This isn't just a fresh coat of paint for the historic site next to the Convention Center; it is a fundamental shift in how the city interacts with Waller Creek. The project has transformed a neglected concrete channel into a lush, terraced landscape designed to handle flash flooding while providing a shaded retreat for downtown workers and residents. The historic Palm School building remains the backdrop, but new limestone seating and native plantings now lead directly to the water’s edge. Keep an eye out for the new pedestrian bridge that connects the park directly to the Rainey Street district, bypassing the heavy traffic on Cesar Chavez. This site serves as the southern anchor for the larger Waterloo Greenway system.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • New Rapid Line Launches — CapMetro begins service on the Expo Center Rapid route today, offering ten-minute frequencies during peak morning hours.

  • Composting Rules Expand — Apartment buildings with more than five units must now provide dedicated organic waste bins under the updated ordinance.

  • Animal Center Capacity — The Levander Loop shelter is waiving all adoption fees through Friday to address a sudden surge in large dog intakes.

☁️ Today's Outlook

  • High 89°F · Low 69°F — Overcast
    • The clouds offer a welcome break from the direct sun, making it a great morning for a walk.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Texas Longhorns Baseball — UFCU Disch-Falk Field, 6:00 PM Regional tournament action continues as the Horns fight to stay in the bracket.

  • Sound & Cinema — Long Center Lawn, 6:30 PM Live music followed by a screening of "Dazed and Confused" on the big screen.

  • Blues on the Green — Zilker Park, 7:00 PM Grab a blanket for the season opener featuring local soul and rock legends.

  • Trivia Night: Local History — Central Machine Works, 7:00 PM Test your knowledge of neighborhood lore while enjoying the beer hall atmosphere.

  • Pflugerville: Music in the Park — Pfenning Park, 7:30 PM A short drive north for a family-friendly concert under the pecan trees.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • The Paramount Theatre
    • Opened in 1915 as a vaudeville house, this Congress Avenue landmark once hosted Harry Houdini and the Marx Brothers. Look up at the ceiling to see the intricate "Sunburst" painting, which was hidden under layers of grime for decades before a meticulous restoration.

Austin Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

Sent with care by MailerDot — your city, every morning.

More Austin editions → · Subscribe →