Mayfield Park, Austin

Mayfield Park, located in west Austin, is a site of both historical and natural significance. The park, which encompasses a historic cottage, gardens, and a nature preserve, is set on a bluff that offers picturesque views of Lake Austin. The story of Mayfield Park begins in the 1870s with the construction of the cottage. Its significance grew when Allison Mayfield, a former Texas Secretary of State, acquired the property in 1909.

The cottage's legacy continued through Mayfield's daughter, Mary Frances, and her husband Milton Gutsch, a University of Texas professor. Under their stewardship, the property underwent substantial enhancements in the early 20th century. They added porches on three sides of the home and, notably, transformed two acres of the surrounding land into a botanical garden. This development was carried out with the assistance of gardener Esteban Arredondo and is characterized by its rock perimeter wall.

Following Mary Mayfield Gutsch's death in 1971, the property was bequeathed to the City of Austin to be used as a park. In recognition of its historical value, Mayfield Park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

Today, Mayfield Park is a cherished public space known for its free-roaming peacocks. The cottage and its surrounding gardens, exuding both historical charm and natural beauty, are available for private events. The park's proximity to Laguna Gloria, which houses the Austin Museum of Art, further enhances its appeal as a cultural and recreational destination in Austin.