Mayfield Park was originally purchased in 1909 by Allison Mayfield as a summer and weekend retreat. The cottage became a permanent residence for Allison Mayfield's daughter and her husband in 1922. Over the years, she and her husband developed the gardens, stone walls and ponds. The peacocks on the property were gifts from friends in 1935 and their descendants are there today. Located just up the road from Laguna Gloria, another beautiful Austin spot, it's a great place for a picnic, a wedding or just wandering the grounds.
In 1982, Lady Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes established the National Wildflower Research Center. The center's first home was a small house on a plot of undeveloped land east of Austin. Over the years through a series of fund raisers and charitable donations the Center celebrated the grand opening of its new 43-acre site at La Crosse Ave in southwest Austin. In 1997 The National Wildlife Research Center was officially renamed the Lay Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Today it is the site of many wonderful exhibits and fairs. It's a beautiful place to go and walk the paths and see the many different varieties of wildflowers, particularly in the spring.
In 1982, Lady Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes established the National Wildflower Research Center. The center's first home was a small house on a plot of undeveloped land east of Austin. Over the years through a series of fund raisers and charitable donations the Center celebrated the grand opening of its new 43-acre site at La Crosse Ave in southwest Austin. In 1997 The National Wildlife Research Center was officially renamed the Lay Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Today it is the site of many wonderful exhibits and fairs. It's a beautiful place to go and walk the paths and see the many different varieties of wildflowers, particularly in the spring.
A beautiful terracotta pot sitting in one of the Wildflowr Center's gardens.
A lone flower by a pond.
A beautifully shaded arbor walk.
Cactus against a Hill Country background.
Closeup of a nice little cactus specimen.
A great spot at the Wildflower Center.
One of several different varieties of water flowers in Mayfield Park.
A beautiful specimen.
Another.
And another.
A peacock in all his splendor.
Same peaock from the front.
Beutiful blue feathers.
I love the reflection of this flower in the water.
A nice contrast of colors.