Mayfield Park and Preserve
November 10, 2009 by Julia
Filed under Austin (central), Featured, libraries and museums, parks, photographers
A month of thanks giving: I am thankful that we live in place which cherishes the arts, its history, and its natural beauty.
Where else around town are you going to see peacocks strutting their stuff alongside newly engaged couples or ladies in gorgeous white wedding gowns? Green Pastures, maybe (at least there were peacocks the last time that we went there), but most definitely at Mayfield Park and Preserve.
Mayfield Park includes “2 acres of colorful cottage gardens with towering palm trees, brilliant peacocks and delicate water lilies, all blending in beautiful harmony, as well as 21 acres of nature preserve, walking trails and wildlife habitat.” The description makes it sound like an idyllic place where the likes of Monet would have gone to paint, and that is not too far off the mark. Even with the toasty hot and dry summer that we had, the grounds were still beautiful, and I bet that it is even spiffier after the recent rains.
The cottages and gardens are enclosed behind a gated stone wall like The Secret Garden, and the place may be reserved for private use so it is not always available to the public. The walking trails are mostly to the right of the parking lot, away from the garden area, and those are accessible at all times.
This is not a playground type park but more of an outdoor meditative space. Because so many photographers utilize the cottages and gardens as backdrops for their photo shoots, I would say that it is best not to bring your kids into the gardens at Mayfield Park if they are in a particularly unruly mood that day. Hit up the Zilker Botanical Gardens instead. The Mayfield gardens have several water ponds that require walking across small stepping stones which add nice artistic touches, but again for young uncoordinated kids who like to adventure on their own, supervision is required.
If you are able to come here and have the gardens to yourself, there are interesting textures (plants, buildings) that would make gorgeous holiday photo backdrops. Just call ahead to the Austin parks department to find out if the grounds have been reserved if you plan to photograph within the stone walls.
We did not make it on the trails this last visit. The last time that I walked them (years ago), it was a wonderful place to study native plants and wildlife. On the way out of Mayfield Park, you might want to stop by Mt. Bonnell as well and catch the view or visit Laguna Gloria (art museum). Both are but a stone’s throw away.
Mayfield Park Community Project (Reservation information)
Mayfield Park, Gardens, and Cottage
Mayfield Nature Preserve
3505 West 35th Street
Austin, TX 78703
Hours: open on a daily basis and closed between 10 PM and 5 AM
Don’t forget, all this week, add a comment to our giveaway post for week 2 for a chance to win a $10 iTunes gift card! We’ll be giving away two so if you add two comments, you might win both! See details at the bottom of Monday’s post.
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