Untold Austin Stories: Mayfield Park and Preserve

Few great gardens are the product of one gardener.

In the case of the Mayfield Park and Preserve, located just east of Laguna Gloria, the grounds grew out of a partnership during the 1920s and ’30s between Mary Mayfield Gutsch, daughter of the original owners, and Esteban Arredondo (pictured), who worked the terraced gardens and lily ponds for more than 40 years.

The park — reflecting Romantic and Neo-classical influences — surrounds the summer cottage of prominent politician Allison Mayfield. Arredondo began his work on the two-acre formal garden by the house in 1922. The other 20-plus acres were preserved in a more or less natural state on hilly land above the Colorado River.

Some of the plants — not unlike the peacocks that haunt the park — are exotics. Beginning in 1988, friends of the park organized to restore the house and gardens. They have gone to great trouble recently to remove invasive species like ligustrum.

Yet Gutsch and Arredondo also scoured the Hill Country for natives like mountain laurel, redbud, yucca and Mexican plum for the garden.

Thus, the park melds two major gardening traditions and its upkeep is an ongoing project for natural, historical and horticultural enthusiasts in Austin.

Arredondo served not just as gardener, but also butler and chauffeur, while his wife, Magdalena, tended housekeeping. For a while, they and their children lived on the estate. They worked there until 1968, three years before it was given to the city.

Mayfield Park and Preserve

Where: 3505 W. 35th St.

Dedicated: 1971

Acres: 22

Named for: Allison Mayfield