Click here for the
River Walk Map

More about the
River Walk Project

Views of the Valley River (top) and the Hiwassee River (above) surrounding the
historic town center of
Murphy

Shown above is the board walk over the Valley River at The Leech Place of Cherokee Indian legend, funded by a generous grant from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation.

Hit the Murphy River Walk at Konehete Park or the McClelland Street
trail head in town, or the Old L&N Depot in town, and enjoy!

The project master plan has been completed from Konehete Park all the way to the Old L&N Depot in town
- an approximate 3-mile walking trail following the Hiwassee River
and the Valley River, which meet and surround the historic town
center of Murphy, the Cherokee County seat.

Click on the links for the map and project information - brochures are also available at the Wellness Center at Konehete Park.

Contact the
River Walk Project Manager

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Thank You
Edwin Manchester
(pictured with wife Esther)
River Walk Project Manager 2003-2010

The community has Edwin Manchester's leadership and inspired efforts to thank for bringing the Murphy River Walk from a concept to a beautiful reality.
Thanks Edwin!

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Johnny Strawn, River Walk Project Manager
Johnny Strawn joined the River Walk Project in 2003, graciously donating his time and talents along with a continous supply of native plants and trees from his nursery out on Boiling Springs Road. When it came time for Edwin Manchester to pass the project management reigns on in May 2010, Johnny kindly agreed. Johnny and his wife Pam are extraordinary and devoted volunteers to the River Walk, and their contributions a highly appreciated gift to the community.

Initiated as a multi-phase master plan concept in July of 2002, the Murphy River Walk project was formally endorsed by the Mayor & Town Council of Murphy, and in January 2003 by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. Phase 1 opened in the fall of 2003, and a master plan for its future phases was completed by the fall of 2004. Step by step, the River Walk was completed in late 2009 all the way to the Old L&N Depot at the entrance to historic downtown Murphy.

Enhancement and improvement activities continue on with the trail surfaces, native landscaping and interpretive markers along the way. The approximate 3-mile trail carries the potential of far reaching benefits to the community- health and recreational enhancements to Konehete Park and the Wellness center facility, economic renewal stimulus for the historic town center, eco and heritage tourism, environmental conservation, cultural and historic preservation, native plant and wildlife education, and more.

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Earth Day on the River Walk - April 2010:
Next time you are on the River Walk you will see some beautiful ferns planted by Angela McClure's Science classes' fifth graders.  Pam Strawn and Nancy Troxler (with help from Johnny) set every thing up and taught the students about the importance of native plants. They then helped the students plant an area at the top of the boardwalk on Old Tennessee Street, around the creek at the McClelland Street parking lot and by the low boardwalk at the wet lands. How about a big round of applause for Angela McClure and her students, and especially for Pam and Nancy for their outstanding job with the project.

Just Another Clean Up Day on the River Walk - May 2010:
Thanks to the continuing work of dedicated volunteers and recreation department folks, the River Walk gets needed attention for an unfortunate "junk" clean up and trail enhancements. It's simply not nice to dump or litter on Mother Nature.

Thanks to the generous contributions of people like you, and a number of appreciated grant funding sources, the trail construction has been completed. Join the River Walk volunteers for an upcoming work day - the maintenance and improvement projects continue on to enhance the natural beauty and enjoyment of the Murphy River Walk.

Fund-raising for grant matches and future construction activities continues, and you can help.
Your tax deductible contribution is gratefully accepted at any time- and in any amount- just designate your check for the River Walk, payable to Heritage Partners. Send to: River Walk Project, c/o Barbara Vicknair, 16 Boulevard Street, Murphy NC 28906.