In the summer of 2009, the Taylor Arboretum committee reformed after nearly 20 years. This organization worked toward improvement of the Taylor Village Park circa 1990. Caring individuals thought that the park again needed some extra attention, not only in beautification but for safety reasons as well.
The Taylor Community Arboretum (TCA) applied for and received a 2009 Trees for Nebraska Towns grant, part of the Retree Nebraska Initiative, from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA). Justin Evertson, NSA director, and Bob Henrickson, NSA staff member, came to Taylor to meet with the committee. From that meeting, NSA officials suggested to not only target the village park in the effort but make it a community-wide arboretum including the Tourist Park, Visitor Center, public library, Historical Pavillion Hotel, and museum as well as the Taylor Park. Being a part of the statewide arboretum initiative, Taylor is now included on the Arboretum register which helps encourage more visitors to the area.
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By the end of 2010 six "condemned trees" had been removed, a new sign proclaiming Taylor as an Arboretum and the "Home of the Taylor Juniper" had been installed with native plants surrounding the base, and over fifty trees had been planted with plaques installed next to them containing their common and scientific names (and any dedication information). Also a new "Welcome to Taylor" sign was installed at the entrance of the community near the junction of highways 183 and 91 surrounded by Taylor Junipers and native plants.
In December of 2010, the Taylor Community Arboretum received an additional $2,500 for the project. With these funds the committee installed the "commemorative brick" flower bed around the Arboretum sign. The additional grant money was also used to purchase 100 small Taylor Junipers that were sold to area residents and planted at various locations around the community including the high school. This "Baby Juniper Project" helped to spread not only the Taylor Juniper, but also expand the Community Arboretum all across the county and surrounding areas.
The Retree Nebraska Initiative is a matching grant, so community support is vital. No village or county funds or taxes may be used to fund the Taylor effort.
Supporters may dedicate a tree for $100. This includes a small plaque (see right) with your name or your designated honoree's name plus the tree information.
To dedicate a tree please print this form:
Tree Dedication Application
Return the completed form along with a check to Terry DeGroff's office located in the Management Informations System building on the square in Burwell. You can also mail the completed form and check to Terry DeGroff (see application for details).
At this time, members of the Taylor Community Arboretum include
Colt Kraus, Loren Sandoz, Jean Harden, Tom & Sue McNeil, Shirley Armbruster, Ken Sheets, Amy Ritchie, Jolene Skalsky, Cindy Dunbar, and Dick Brown.
Tribute |
Tree |
Donor |
Location |
| A Gift from C.J. Brown |
Amur Maple |
Christopher Brown |
Northwest corner of park |
| A Gift from Union Bank & Trust-Taylor Branch |
Black Hills Spruce |
Union Bank & Trust Taylor Branh |
West of tire swing in park |
| In Memory of Rolland John Ralls |
Chinkapin Oak |
Brenda Kettleborough and Family |
West of tornado slide in park |
| In Memory of Jacob Peter Ralls |
Discovery Elm |
Brenda Kettleborough and Family |
West of playground equipment in park |
| In Memory of James John Ralls |
Discovery Elm |
Brenda Kettleborough and Family |
West of playground equipment in park |
| A Gift from Harry & Terese Lech |
Honeylocust |
Harry and Terese Lech |
Northwest corner of park |
| A Gift from Bernard & Karole Strohl |
Sugar Maple |
Bernard & Karole Strohl |
Northwest corner of park |
| A Gift from Taylor Lions Club |
Ohio Buckeye |
Taylor Lions Club |
South of large shelter in park |
| In Memory of Bill & Hilma Strong (Mr. & Mrs. Almeria) |
Northern Red Oak |
Lynn and Barb Strong |
Northwest of arboretum sign in park |
| In Memory of Son and Colene Kraus (Tracy, Cindy, Dixie) |
Freeman Maple |
Tracy and Suzanne Kraus |
North of small shelter in park |
D.D. Eisenhower to Honor all World War II Veterans
May 28, 2001 VFW Post 6159 |
Green Ash |
VFW Post 6159 |
East of bell tower in park |
| A Gift from Richard and Michaela Brown |
Ornamental Pear |
Richard Brown |
South of gazebo in park |
| Dedicated to the Celebration of Trees |
Thornless Cockspur Hawthorne |
Shirley Armbruster |
North of arboretum sign in park |
| In Memory of Allen Wilke |
Bur Oak |
Wilke Landscaping |
Southwest corner of park |
In Memory of Mr. Brown
Historian, Teacher, Coach, and Friend |
Taylor Juniper |
Lilly Walford, Trysta Gruber, Jenny Foster, Lisa Herbert, Billy Dunbar, Colt Kraus
|
East of Log Cabin Museum |
| A Gift from Faller Landscape & Nursery |
Prairie Gold Quaking Aspen |
Faller Landscape & Nursery |
North of arboretum sign in park |
| In tribute to the Bromwich-Fay families |
Hackberry |
Ava Hastert |
South of playground equipment |
| In tribute to the Cram-Cooley families |
Ohio Buckeye |
Ava Hastert |
South of playground equipment |
| In Memory of John and Maude Parkin |
Frontyard Linden |
Wayne and Dorothy Sweley |
East of small shelter in park |
| In Memory of Britton Peters - A Believer in Trees |
Ponderosa Pine |
Gerald and Joan Ferguson |
Northwest of gazebo in park |
| The Family of Francis & MaryEllen (Cherry) Britton |
Prairie Fire Crabapple |
Gerald and Joan Ferguson |
West of large shelter in the park |
| In Memory of Irene Garska |
Frontier Elm |
Morgan Family |
East of playground equipment in park |
| In Memory of Colleen Cone |
Mighty Moe Cottonwood |
Morgan Family |
North of playground equipment in park |
| Dedicated by the Worm Family |
Northern Red Oak |
Worm Family |
East of large shelter in the park |
The Taylor Park makes up the central village square and is easily recognizable by the many mature Cottonwoods as well as a large variety of other trees that provide ample shade and beauty. The Taylor Park was recently added to the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum registry as part of the Taylor Community Arboretum.
The Taylor Tourist Park is located on Hwy 91 in Taylor and is ready to serve your RV parking and tenting needs. Besides six full RV hook-ups, the park has playground equipment, horseshoe pits, a large basketball court, and lovely shaded green space. 
Harrop Park is located 18 miles North of Taylor on Hwy 183. Native flora abounds on the informative nature walk. A picnic shelter, windmill and restrooms make this an attractive place to stretch your legs while taking in the vast beauty of the Sandhills. A Nebraska Historical Marker on site tells the fascinating story of how "Harrop" came to be.