By Karen Chaney

The annual Murphy State of the Parks Tour was held November 19th. Attending this event were seven members of the Parks board, seven members of the 4B board, City council representatives and Kim Lenoir, Director of Parks and Public Works.
In previous years the tour went to each Murphy Park but this year the group focused on three exciting projects. Timbers Nature Preserve Park (Bunny Run), which is connected to City Park in The Timbers neighborhood, was one stop on the tour where future building plans were discussed. Another stop was a tour of the Murphy Community Center, slated to open its door in the spring of 2012. Rounding out the tour was a hike down by Maxwell Creek at the Preserve at Maxwell Creek Trails which is located behind Kimbrough Stadium and Murphy Middle School.
Murphy resident and City Council member Dennis Richmond provided an onsite status report of the Preserve at Maxwell Creek. This past summer his Wylie based company RiverValley Eco Services became Friends of the Parks and undertook the goal of making the preserve “look like it was intended (to look).” Richmond said that he wants to make the signs that list what is growing there a reality. A five foot apron of Buffalo grass and Blue grama surround the interior of the walkway which is intended to have short vertical growth leading into the area’s center of native Blackland prairie mix. Bluebonnets and other wildflowers have been planted and are starting to pop their heads out of the soil (note: this might be a good place to check out in the spring for bluebonnet photos). The drought experienced this past summer was tough on germination; Richmond anticipates replanting a portion of the grass and flowers. Even though an irrigation system is in place at the Preserve at Maxwell Creek, Richmond states that is a poor substitute for rain. In addition to the drought obstacle, Richmond and his team fought a battle with Bermuda grass. Richmond enjoys sharing his knowledge of native grasses and flowers coupled with the manpower to enhance the beauty of Murphy’s parks.
Accompanying the growing Blackland prairie grass area is another successful Murphy resident volunteer project. Parks board member Brian Jones pioneered a trail that would allow closer access to Maxwell Creek. Growing up in Pennsylvania and Colorado, Jones fondly recalls childhood nature hikes. He has three children and wanted a nearby place to go hiking with them. Seeing the potential that Maxwell Creek offers he approached Kim Lenoir and the parks board with his dream and was given the go ahead. Jones, with the help of Richmond and members from Richmond’s church The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints Plano Fifth Ward, cut a trail that leads to an adventurous nature walk.

Arriving at the Preserve at Maxwell Creek Trails you will find plenty of concrete parking, listening you will hear quite a bit of traffic noise travelling along Murphy Road. However, traverse this new trail into the preserve, down by the creek and your audible senses will be steeped in rustling leaves, flowing water and bird song. Visually enjoy the lack of concrete and abundance of nature. This is a great place to explore, jump the creek and explore some more. (Note: wear rain boots if you have them and bring newspaper to place your boots on when you return to your car.)

Looking into 2012, Kim Lenoir enthusiastically points out that Murphy Central Park will begin bidding in the spring, park trails are continually being expanded to connect to each other and Liberty Ridge Park in Rolling Ridge will undergo improvements. The revisions are slated to begin in January with a three month estimated completion time. Included in the change are a new pavilion, larger playground, a grade down to the water’s edge and the addition of a fishing pier. (Liberty Ridge Park is located at 201 Rolling Ridge.)

By Laura Swift

Natural disasters took a toll on the world in 2011. The massive earthquake in Japan in March, the string of deadly tornadoes in the U.S. in April and May, destructive wildfires in Texas caused by drought, flooding from Hurricane Irene, and more, caused over $260 billion in damages—the costliest year on record.

A recent poll conducted by the American Red Cross revealed that Americans are relying more on social media and mobile technology at the local level to learn about disasters, seek help and share information about their well-being after emergencies. The survey also showed that Americans believe response organizations should be monitoring social media during disasters and acting quickly to help.

Emergency response at the local level—such as a city’s fire and police departments—typically facilitates the quickest response times in the event of a disaster. However, in the few minutes it takes firefighters and first responders to arrive at the scene of an emergency, conditions could potentially become worse. That’s where Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) come in.

Geared to educate volunteers about disaster response, fire safety, search and rescue and disaster medical operations, CERTs assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT programs provide emergency response at the local level and are designed to make cities safer.

The city of Murphy recently established its first CERT program with the help of the Murphy Fire Department. Capt. Perry Elliott from the Murphy Fire Department said there are 14 members on the team. “They’re an unofficial team right now,” Elliott said. “We’ll formalize the team before City Council by February at the latest.”

“This is a vision that Fire Chief Mark Lee has had for some time,” said Elliott, who spearheaded the training and organization of the team along with Murphy resident Ron Hill.

“During the training, we brought in at least two firefighters per class,” Elliott added.

“Firefighters and experts provide disaster preparedness, first aid and hazmat training to CERTs,” said Jason Lane, assistant emergency management coordinator for Collin County. “Specific examples include classes on how to turn off the gas and power in a house and how to conduct search and rescue if a house collapses. Team members learn how to take care of themselves and their neighbors in the event of a disaster in the community.”

However, CERT members don’t have access to heavy equipment that firefighters use, such jaws-of-life rescue, Lane said. Ideally, CERTs act as a link to a neighborhood and a city’s fire and police departments.

“Training the general public takes the burden off first responders,” Lane added.

For example, McKinney deploys its CERT to set up tents outside fires, Lane said. The CERT tent provides rehab—a place for firefighters to drink water and cool off while battling a fire. This is especially helpful during summer when temperatures are extremely hot.

“In 2006, we had a tornado in Westminster,” Lane said. “The McKinney CERT arrived and opened a shelter that provided basic first aid for residents.”

In addition to McKinney, Plano and Frisco have the largest CERT programs in the area, Lane said. Lucas and Prosper also have CERTs.

“Lucas hosted a severe weather training course recently,” Lane explained. “In Prosper, we had an H1N1 cross-training. We provide things for volunteers to learn about and continue to offer training to keep them engaged.”

The biggest threat in Collin County is weather, Lane said. Severe thunderstorms, hail, flooding, tornadoes, winter weather and ice storms can disrupt transportation.

The CERT concept started in California in the 1980s. “The big threat out there is earthquakes,” Lane said. “FEMA then started coordination in the early ’90s, providing fire suppression and disaster preparedness and drill training.”

When Murphy’s CERT becomes formalized in 2012, it will become part of a network of 103 CERT programs in the state of Texas.

“In February, we plan to start the next training class for another CERT group,” Elliott said. “The goal is to have the original 14 CERT members become the leaders of future CERTs in Murphy, which will be deployed in the city based on geographical area.

“We’re excited to get this off the ground and to continue to get this moving forward,” Elliott said.

MURPHY (November 15, 2011) Individuals and organizations wishing to make a noticeable and visible difference in Murphy now have the opportunity to do so by adopting a portion of a Murphy street and maintaining its cleanliness, according to Director of Parks and Public Works Kim Lenoir.

“We’re starting a program in Murphy that has been in existence elsewhere for some time, so people are already aware of how it works. Ours will be similar in how it’s administered, but it will be unique in that it is another opportunity for Murphy residents to show how much they care about their community,” she said. The Adopt-a-Street program is another effort by the “Keep Murphy Beautiful” campaign, administered by the City’s Green Team.

Adopting a street requires an application to be submitted for approval along with the name of an individual or representative of an organization who will take responsibility for the commitment. The individual or organization will then be assigned a stretch of road, usually about a mile in length, to clean up by picking up trash and debris.

“The program is designed to give individuals and groups a chance to make a visible impact on the environment and help reduce the costs associated with cleaning the streets. Picking up litter costs taxpayers in terms of direct labor expenses as well as the indirect costs associated with taking crews away from their primary duty to pick up garbage,” she added.

Groups or individuals who sign up for the program will be expected to commit for one year, and conduct their cleanups at least once a quarter. A sign designating the stretch of road as adopted by an organization or individual will be erected, following the first successful cleanup.

“All of the cleanup volunteers must sign an agreement that says they understand the rules of the program. And while we welcome the participation of young people, anyone under 18 must obtain the signature of their parent or guardian,” said Lenoir.

Groups and individuals who commit to the program must also pledge to actively participate annually in one of the various “Keep Murphy Beautiful” clean ups throughout the year.
“The City will supply the trash bags and high-visibility vests to volunteers, and will give a brief safety orientation prior to each cleanup,” she said.

Individuals and groups interested in participating or who are seeking more information about this program should contact Lenoir at klenoir@murphytx.org or call 972-468-4068.

By Laura Swift

The Murphy 4B Community Development Corporation has an abundance of projects in the works. Next on the list will be setting up the newly purchased Christmas tree in City Hall.

“The Christmas tree is 30.5 feet tall and will be built in-house each year,” said Kristen Roberts, director of economic and community development.

The new tree will be the center of attention during the city’s annual Christmas in the Park celebration, which will take place from 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 1 at City Hall. The community tree lighting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks are planned to start at 7:45 p.m.

Residents can take pictures with Santa, see live reindeer, and take family photos in the “ginormous” winter snow globe, Roberts said.

Another project on the horizon is establishing a neighborhood revitalization awards program.

4B Vice President Eric Hemphill said he has been interested in starting a neighborhood revitalization program in Murphy for quite some time.

“We could model the program off Richardson’s neighborhood vitality award program,” Hemphill said. “We could put a sign in the yard/front of the [structure], place an ad of the winner in the newspaper, and give winners a gift card. This would allow us to provide recognition for beautifying the city.”

The program would apply to both business and residential establishments, Hemphill said.

The city of Richardson started its neighborhood revitalization program in 1994 with the goal of recognizing property owners who made significant exterior improvements to their properties, and encouraging future individual reinvestments in the community.

Revitalization projects include making improvements to properties or structures that halt or reverse building decline, ongoing maintenance and refurbishment of structures and properties, and total redevelopment of a property or structure. Replacing buildings and facades, landscaping, replacing/adding exterior lighting and updating/installing exterior signage are a few examples of revitalization projects.

The Board directed city staff to research the city of Richardson’s neighborhood revitalization program and bring back information for the January 2012 meeting.

Additional 4B projects under development include park signage that will be placed throughout the city. Thirty signs that display park directions were recently delivered to the city and will be installed within a month, Roberts said.

“I’m really excited to see these signs go up,” said Boardmember Katie Westhora.

Playground equipment for Brentwood Park is expected to be delivered to the city this month. Projects included in the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget include securing price quotes for seating at Aviary and North Hill parks and adding trees and landscape beds at North Hill Park.

The Board plans to conduct its next meeting in January 2012.

MURPHY (November 30, 2011) Mayor Bret Baldwin and the Murphy City Council proclaimed Nov. 19, 2011 Arbor Day in Murphy. The proclamation declaring the day devoted to the study and appreciation of trees in the City was spearheaded by the Green Team, the interdepartmental employee committee dedicated to the Keep Murphy Beautiful effort, according to Kim Lenoir, Parks and Public Works Director.
“The proclamation of Arbor Day is the final of the four requirements necessary for Murphy to qualify for Tree City USA designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation,” she said. “It’s also an important aspect of our Keep Murphy Beautiful campaign. Murphy is fortunate to have a citizenry that appreciates the benefits of nature, and Arbor Day is a perfect fit for the City because of the emphasis on the beauty and indispensable necessity of trees,” she said.
At their Nov. 15 meeting, the City Council issued a proclamation officially setting Nov. 19 as Arbor Day in the City for the current year. It read, in part, “The City Council agrees that trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community.”
The inaugural celebration officially recognizing Arbor Day in Murphy was held at 1 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Murphy Community Center, right before the annual Park Tour, put on by the Parks and Recreation Board. The Park Tour is an annual review of the progress made at the various public spaces throughout the City. Bur Oak acorns were distributed to participants in the Arbor Day celebration, and recipients were asked to plant them in the hope that a tree would grow.
“In commemoration of Arbor Day, participants of the Park Tour paid particular attention to the trees and considered their health status as a result of the record heat and summer drought,” said Lenoir. For more information on trees and their care, visit www.arborday.org.
It was particularly fitting to have the City’s initial Arbor Day Celebration at the Murphy Community Center, because the landscaping contractor for the new center will be planting its trees in the very near future.
Among the new trees and bushes at the center will be seven Nellie R. Stevens hollies, three Chaste trees, 18 Cedar Elms, seven Live Oaks, four Chinese Pastiches and 17 Dallas Red Crape Myrtles.
Also part of the Arbor Day festivities, the Green Team is encouraging fourth and fifth grade students to enter the “Trees are Terrific…from Acorn to Oak” poster contest put on by Keep Texas Beautiful and the Texas Forest Service. The poster contest is part of a statewide program designed to teach children, through basic classification skills, to recognize unique characteristics that separate oaks from other trees. Local elementary schools are encouraged to visit the Keep Texas Beautiful web site at www.ktb.org and download the details for the contest. The deadline for poster submissions is Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. The winning student will receive a $500 savings bond and a year-long family pass for Texas state parks, as well as a framed copy of his or her poster and an invitation to the Texas Arbor Day ceremony on Friday, April 27, 2012. The winning teacher will receive a personal iPad and $250 to go toward classroom supplies. The winning school will receive $250 for environmental books or supplies and a tree planted on the campus as part of an Arbor Day celebration.
“I think it’s significant that the Proclamation read by Mayor Baldwin urged all citizens to celebrate Murphy Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands. Murphy has, in many ways, already demonstrated its love of nature, and this is just another expression of that connection,” concluded Lenoir.