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

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.

Join the fun this Saturday for

‘More than a kernel of truth in that’ vow officials

Kids of all ages, but especially real ones, will be entertained virtually beyond measure at the 2011 Maize Days event on Sept. 24 as officials of the community-wide celebration bring back the highly popular Kid Zone area, according to Kristen Roberts, Community and Economic Development Director.
“This year’s Kid Zone will occupy about 175,000 square feet of space, that’s just over four acres of all sorts of fun and excitement,” she said.
The Kid Zone will feature several bounce houses, where shoeless kids can romp and play to their heart’s content. Younger kids will also enjoy face-painting, temporary tattoos, candy art, hay play and pony rides.
Older kids will be attracted to a rock-climbing wall, hamster balls and a zip line. Also drawing the slightly older set will be the Euro bungee Quad Pod Extreme, a controlled jump and bounce using trampolines and tie lines that allow participant to experience a bungee-like jump without climbing. And, a mobile video game theater will roll in, giving gamers a chance to test their skills.
Kids in all age groups will be fascinated by the Rad Hatter, a hands-on exhibit that allows people to make customized, wearable hats utilizing new and creative ways of working with recycled materials.
“The Kid Zone will be a real beehive of activity, a center of fun, action and unbelievable feats of entertainment,” added Roberts.
Maize Days is set for Saturday, Sept. 24 on the Municipal Complex grounds, 206 North Murphy Road starting with the A-Maize-ing 5K and Fun Run at 8 a.m. The vendor booths and Kid Zone open at 10 a.m. and run continuously until 8 p.m. Maize Days ends with a massive fireworks display starting at 8:15 p.m.

Maize Market among the most popular attractions at fun fest

Artisans, crafts persons, home-based businesses, retail merchants, gift makers and service providers are cordially invited to be part of the popular Maize Market during the annual Maize Days celebration on the grounds of the Murphy Municipal Complex, 206 North Murphy Road on Sept. 24, according to Kristen Roberts, Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Murphy.
“Maize Market is always a big draw at Maize Days because of the variety and scope of vendors. Many vendors have expressed their extreme satisfaction with it as well, since their products and services are exposed to several thousand people in a matter of several hours,” she said.
Especially welcome are vendors with unique and one-of-a-kind items and services, vendors who display and sell hand-crafted objects, jewelry, candles as well as vendors who are local to the area.
“Visitors to Maize Days are always anxious to see and buy new and different items for gift-giving, Christmas presents, and other special occasions,” she added.
Arts and craft and other vendors and service providers have until Aug. 1 to take advantage of an Early Bird discount. Booths are available in two standard sizes.
Maize Market also has a limited number of non-profit vendor spaces, rented at a discount, for local and area groups and organizations. Non-profit booths are available in only one size.
Booths in all categories will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be submitted online by vendors in order to be considered.

In addition to vendors, the Maize Days planners are also looking for volunteers to assist with various aspects of the event. Volunteers will receive a special commemorative T-shirt and full access to a volunteer pavilion with snacks, drinks and rest area.
Maize Days is set to start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 and continue until the fireworks display at approximately 8:15 p.m.
Vendors and volunteers should visit www.murphymaizedays.com to obtain more information and register.
“Maize Market is always a big hit, and we’re hoping this year will be just as exciting. And, of course, we can’t possibly put this on without our valuable volunteers,” concluded Roberts.