Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve

Overview

Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve is a 23-acre park in West Austin known for its free-roaming Indian peacocks, historic cottage gardens, and nature trails connecting to the 21-acre Preserve along Lake Austin.

Highlights

• Free-Roaming Peacocks: A flock of Indian peafowl roams the grounds year-round.
• Historic Gardens: Formal gardens featuring palms, ponds, and native plants surround the 1870s stone cottage.
• Nature Trails: The adjacent preserve offers wooded trails with views of Lake Austin.

History

The estate dates to the 1870s and was home to Mary and Milton Gutsch, UT Austin professors who donated it to the city in the 1970s. The peacock tradition began in the 1930s when the Gutschs introduced the birds.

Visitor Tips

• Early morning visits offer the best peacock sightings and cooler temperatures.
• Free admission — the park is operated by the city of Austin.
• Duration: 45–75 minutes.