In February 1936 Nels P. Johnson suggested to the park commission that a new name was needed for the park. Research was done with authentic information supplied by A. E. Sheldon, Superintendent of the Nebraska Historical Society. The name, Ta-ha-zouka, was chosen as it reflected the most frequently mentioned name "Elkhorn." Since that name was already used for various parks, clubs, and private enterprises, it was rejected. There were differing opinions concerning the meaning of Ta-ha-zouka. One was the tradition that the river was named for Elkhorn, the first chief of the Omaha's to make a treaty with Spain.

Francis La Flesche, author of a history of the Omaha's, spelled the name as "Tahe Zho Ka," and claimed it meant "the forked horn of a deer."

Sheldon included other information. Dr. J. T. Link of Seward, who had spent nearly twelve years researching place names in Nebraska, claimed it was not an Omaha word and should be translated as "Elkhorn." He found no record of an Omaha chief nor a treaty. He also claimed that tribes did not use individuals' names for streams even though there was some significance for a person when an important incident occurred that associated him with a stream.

However, Morton's History related the full tradition concerning the Omaha chief, his son, the river and the treaty. According to this source of Nebraska history, Blackbird and Ta-ha-zouka were the first Omaha chiefs to make a treaty of friendship and peace with the governor of the territory of Louisiana at St. Louis.

In 1936 the park consisted of 52 acres located 1 1/2 miles south of town. Work was accomplished with the aid of WPA funds. A pavilion was constructed; a tool shed and a water system with a pump added. The lagoon was listed a being 1/2 mile long, varying from 7 inches to 7 feet in depth and 20 to 100 feet wide.

By 1938 additions were a zoo with an eagle, opossum, wild cat, coyote, ducks and geese. A photograph in Images of America: Norfolk, NE by Sheryl Schmeckpeper shows the Prairie Central Miniature Railroad which ran through the park for a number of years. Mentioned as other animals in the zoo were bears, buffalo, pea fowl, and deer.

The park could accommodate up to 500 people with 3 3/4 miles of gravel roads including a river drive. Up to 1200 trees had been planted. Fishing, free of charge to children under licensing age, at the lagoon was very popular.

A 1942 clipping highlighted a Saturday morning fishing event for children under 14 from the area. They were assisted by park board members and men from the Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions clubs. Other clippings and pictures feature an August 1946 event with up to 500 girls and boys participating in a wide variety of categories such as first fish caught, largest fish, smallest fish, largest catch, and even who had the reddest hair. Every child received a prize. Members of the Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions clubs helped sponsor the event.

An undated clipping describes the miniature town of Norfolk on a 50 by 100 foot plot with replicas of some buildings located on Norfolk Avenue soon after the founding of the town. Included were the Norfolk Roller mills (1869), Degner's blacksmith shop (1869), Colonel Mathewson's home, Rome Miller's real estate office, the Redmond shoe store, the Durland sisters' millinery store, the First Congregational Church (1871), the National Bank and Dr. D. R. Daniels' drug store. Additions of a livery stable and high board walks were planned. Gifts of tame rabbits housed in the buildings provided an attraction for the children.

Today the zoo, the replica of Norfolk and the Prairie Central Miniature Railroad are no longer at the park. Their absence, however, has not dimmed its popularity. The lagoon and the pavilion are still there. Behind the park, within walking distance of the picnic areas are baseball and softball diamonds and a playground. Every summer people are seen enjoying the shade of the now grown trees as families get together to celebrate the Fourth of July and other summertime holidays. In August, there is an antique car show.�