Mayfield Park
Peacock at Mayfield Park Credit Tricia Zeigler Courtesy of Visit Austin
Welcome to Austin's Mayfield Park, the public park built around the historic Mayfield-Gutsch Estate. Within the park, you will find a historic cottage, several gardens and ponds, and a 21-acre nature preserve all sitting on a scenic bluff overlooking Lake Austin.
The cottage on the property was originally built in the 1870s, purchased by the former Texas Secretary of State Allison Mayfield in 1909. The 'board and batten, twin-gabled cottage' was maintained by the Mayfield-Gutsch family over the stretch of 62 years. Outside of the cottage, you will find walking trails, a wildlife habitat with free-roaming peacocks, several ponds, and over 30 garden plots maintained by local volunteers. Within the ponds, you will find various fish, turtles, frogs, snakes, and birds such as herons, and among the grounds, you will see a peacock or two, with around 2 dozen roaming the park. These resident park greeters can be found in the trees, on rooftops, throughout the gardens, and within the nature preserve grounds. You will find two main types here at Mayfield Park, including the India Blue and Black Shoulder Peafowl. Please be respectful of the birds whenever you encounter them.
Fun Fact: Peacocks are actually males, and peahens are females. Peachicks are the babies, and all in all the birds are called peafowls.
PARD offers guided garden and cottage tours if you are interested during your visit, or you can simply stroll the park and 21-acre nature preserve, which sits just outside of the rock wall of the park, on your own for a peaceful afternoon or evening activity.
