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.)