It's been an exciting month for the Red Line Parkway. Hot on the heels of our successful State of the Parkway, we won the Urban Land Institute Austin Next Big Idea award! Read on to learn about how this week provides opportunities for you to help keep the momentum going.

Photo courtesy of ULI Austin

Red Line Parkway Named ULI Austin 2026 Next Big Idea 

We are ecstatic that the Red Line Parkway is the recipient of Urban Land Institute Austin's 2026 Next Big Idea award! This huge milestone helps demonstrate the Red Line Parkway's significance and potential to positively impact our region, including connecting our communities and transit, solving challenges by coordinating across government jurisdictions, and creating opportunities for wellness and social connectivity for everyone. Learn more from the award jurors in this short video.

Pictured above accepting the awards at the August 26th ULI Austin 2026 Impact Awards ceremony are Tom Wald and Jeff Thompson of RLPI, plus Jordan McGee of CapMetro, bookended by Paulette Gibbins (l) and Lance Coplin (r) of ULI Austin.

Visit the ULI Austin Impact Awards page to learn more about other nominees, other awards categories, and ULI Austin. The ULI is "the oldest and largest network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts in the world."

State of the Parkway 2026 Recap

Thanks to our speakers and attendees of the State of the Parkway 2026! 

Congressman Greg Casar (pictured right, on the right) shared how the Red Line Parkway will be a key part of quality of life and outdoors access, and how thinking big was essential in completing other trails such as the Butler Trail and the Wishbone Bridge.

We learned from Austin City Council Member Krista Laine (pictured left) representing District 6 about how the Red Line Parkway fits into her vision for a more walk and bike-friendly northwest Austin.

Our keynote speaker Ian Rosenberg of Buffalo Bayou Partnership (pictured at top) shared their inspiring vision and work, and their long journey toward developing the Houston trail system and surrounding parkland.

We appreciate our Silent Auction in-kind donors and our Event Sponsors listed below, for making this year's State of the Parkway possible!

Gold Level - 

Silver Level - LJA • Goff Policy • H-E-B • Pape-Dawson • Texas Gas Service • FVF Law • HDR

Bronze Level -
Nelson\Nygaard • Austin Transit Partnership • CapMetro • Asakura Robinson • Stantec

Neighborhood Fundraisers This Week: Thu 9/17 & Sat 9/19

Join neighbors this Thursday and Saturday to support the Red Line Parkway. You don't have to live in the neighborhood to attend, but if you do live in the neighborhood, we hope you don't miss this opportunity to join your neighbors to help create the future of the Red Line Parkway and your neighborhood!

East Cesar Chavez / Holly Neighborhood Fundraiser
Thursday, September 17th, 5-7pm
Historic Scoot Inn, 1308 E 4th St, Austin

Wooten Neighborhood Fundraiser
Saturday, September 19th, 11am-1pm
Alex’s Backyard in Wooten, Austin

Photo courtesy of Waterloo Greenway

Waterloo Greenway Phase 3: 4th - 12th St. Community Survey

The Waterloo Greenway continues to grow, and planning for the next phase is underway. Phase 3 will connect from The Confluence at 4th Street (Red Line Parkway) to Waterloo Park at 12th Street, and will be an improved creekside destination in itself. Learn more from the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, and take their Community Survey.

More Parkway and Vicinity Updates

Burrell Drive Ribbon Cutting

The City of Austin hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony last Saturday for the new Burrell Drive protected bike lanes and shared-use paths!

This project improves an essential section of the existing Red Line Parkway route in the Wooten Neighborhood. Learn more from the City of Austin.

McNeil Drive Ribbon Cutting

Another ribbon cutting ceremony further north celebrated the completion of walk/bike improvements along McNeil Drive. Learn more from the City of Austin. These provide immediate new connections for nearby neighbors, and will also connect to future improvements to the east along Howard Lane, to be completed by Travis County in the coming few years.

Austin Outside Seeking Inaugural Executive Director

Red Line Parkway Initiative is a member of the Austin Outside Coalition, which plays a key role in facilitating collaboration among like-minded organizations, and providing unified leadership in support of public funding for parks and trails. Austin Outside is reaching an important milestone as it seeks applicants for its inaugural Executive Director. Learn more from Austin Outside.

Go outside! Use our interactive map to get outdoors and find a good place to explore and relax.

Also, please donate to help continue our work to extend the Red Line Parkway.