Republic Square Park

A historic downtown landmark, Republic Square serves as a vibrant cultural hub and urban green space in the heart of Austin. Decades in the making, its redevelopment was one of the most significant projects in Austin Parks Foundation history, made possible through an innovative public-private partnership between Austin Parks Foundation (APF), the Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA), and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD).

As the prime contractor, Clean Scapes played a key role in bringing the park’s vision to life. Our team led the construction of the park’s defining features, including the restoration of an existing deck beneath heritage oaks, the installation of a series of low, curved seating walls that echo the park’s circular layout, and the careful placement of custom site furnishings. We also oversaw extensive grading and soil work to support long-term plant health and create a seamless transition between the park’s various programmed spaces. The project required a strategic approach to irrigation and drainage, ensuring that the Central Lawn and surrounding landscape could thrive in Austin’s demanding climate while remaining resilient under heavy public use.

Since completing construction in 2017, Clean Scapes has remained deeply involved in Republic Square’s ongoing care and continued transformation. Our maintenance team works year-round to preserve the integrity of the landscape, providing expert turf management, seasonal plantings, and ongoing irrigation monitoring. In 2020, we began partnering with Nudge Design to further enhance the park’s ecological function, focusing on soil restoration, plant diversification, and water efficiency. Through this continued stewardship, Republic Square remains a lush, welcoming space for the Austin community. The project has been recognized with multiple awards, including an ASLA Texas Merit Award and ULI Austin’s Best Public Place.

Landscape Design by Design Workshop. Ecological Restoration Design by Nudge Design.