Sidewalks, Parks, Leaders Among Taylors’ Needs

Sidewalks, parks and a sense of direction are the areas that need to be worked on in Taylors’ future, attendees of a recent community meeting said.

Heavy rain did not keep a large number of people from attending Taylors Town Square’s first evening meeting.

Taylors Town Square leaders wanted to hold some evening meetings this year, as some who would like to participate in the group are unable to attend luncheons, according to Alex Reynolds, one of the TTS organizers.

“It’s not immediately obvious where the town center might be,” Reynolds said, adding that one of the goals of the group is to create a sense of community.

Taylors Town Square grew out of a Taylors First Baptist Church community ministry, said Kathy Dority, a minister at Taylors First Baptist Church.

Church members come from “all around Greenville County,” she said.

“But we realized we didn’t necessarily know our own neighbors in our own front yard,” Dority said.

Taylors Town Square will also serve as a way for neighbors to get to know each other.

“What are our skills, our gifts, our talents?” Dority said. “What would it look like if we all rallied together and got to know each other better and worked together to make this a better place to live?”

Attendees were asked to rate Taylors on a variety of criteria. Those responses will be compiled and shared with the group at a later meeting.

Dority polled the attendees asking them what they thought the area’s strengths were, as well as its weaknesses.

“What do you like about Taylors?” Dority asked.

Strengths include quiet neighborhoods, the friendliness of the people, the fact that Taylors retains a small town feel while being close to bigger cities, the history of the area, its convenience, including close proximity to shopping.

Patrick Wagner texted his wife, who was unable to attend the meeting, to give her opinion of Taylors  

“It’s feels old-timey and wholesome – like Mayberry,” she replied.

Kaleb Ross agreed.

“There’s a history to Taylors, it’s not a new community that doesn’t have any kind of legacy,” he said. “There’s something to build upon.”

Other strengths include proximity to the airport and major highways and lack of city taxes.   

The group agreed sidewalks are needed.

One woman said she was going to move away from Taylors because of the lack of sidewalks, which keep her from enjoying walking and the outdoors.

“What changes would you make if you could wave your magic wand?” Dority asked.

The group agreed the area needs more parks and green spaces as well as more lighting. 

Other suggestions included a “Welcome to Taylors” sign.

Stronger leaders who can implement the vision created by the group are needed. 

“Everything rises and falls on leadership, it really is true, and most of us have it seen it played around,” Dority said, who spoke about the changes she’s seen in downtown Greenville during her residency. “The reason downtown Greenville looks like it does is because of visionary leadership.” 

The next Taylors Town Square meeting is a luncheon meeting slated for Wednesday, April 3.