A small neighborhood park east of Pig’s Eye Lake. That’s Taylor Park. It offers a green space perfect for games. There’s a playground for children. Families gather at the picnic tables. Highwood Preserve is a short walk away.
Taylor Park’s history is rich. The land was once part of a farm owned by Jared Morey Taylor. He died in 1865. His wish was for this land to become a park. His heirs sold the property to the city for $6000. The city invested more money improving the grounds.
Originally Taylor Park had a large pond. Children swam there. Later two pools were added. One was for children the other for adults. In the 1960s these were replaced by one larger pool. Recently a splash pad was added. Kids can run through fountains and sprinklers.
The park hosted events. A report from 1899 mentions a thousand people at a summer concert. A bandstand built in 1925 hosted countless concerts. The Fond du Lac Symphonic Band played there from 1976 to 1981. They outgrew the bandstand. It was later removed.
The park pavilion built in 1907 was recently restored. It’s one of Fond du Lac’s longest-standing structures. New paint railings and lighting were added. The cupola was repaired. The entire park has seen improvements. There are new benches lighting and a walking trail. Fond du Lac became the first community in the state to be designated a “Preserve America” community.
Friendships and memories are made at Taylor Park. That is what makes this park unique. The architecture and the swimming pool are important. But the atmosphere is what matters most. The park is a special place. A place where memories are made. A place that was once a haven for children and teenagers. A place where even today happy sounds of glee can be heard. A place that will always be treasured.