Before Payson had a public pool, swim lessons took place at a local RV park where kids could swim through the summer "until the pool turned green with algae."  At the beginning of swim season in the early 1980s, the pool failed and lessons were canceled, prompting Parks and Recreation commissioners to approach the town council about funding a public pool.  Behind Mayor Willard Taylor's support and a Community Development Block Grant with a town match, Taylor Pool was built using local contractors in 1985, though not as originally planned because the roughly $3 million ran out. For decades, Taylor Pool served the needs of its community as a summer gathering spot for recreational swimming and lessons.     

The subprime mortgage crisis hit Payson hard in 2008 leading to an exodus of thousands of Paysonites and town-wide deferred maintenance just to keep the town running. Taylor Pool was a victim of that crisis which caused the 40% devaluation of Payson properties and collapse of its previously booming construction industry. A decade later, Payson finally emerged from the resulting damage, yet Taylor Pool was a casualty due to mounting maintenance issues; it was unsafe and closed in 2020. Since then the town has put forth plans for an enclosed $16 million legacy pool that can meet the aquatic needs of the community now and into the future.