River Walk Project

	Hit the beautifully scenic Murphy River Walk at Konehete Park or the McClelland Street or the Old L&N Depot trail heads in town, and enjoy! Canoe and kayak put-ins can be found on Payne Street and Hiwassee Street just beyond the River Walk trail. The approximate 2 miles of trail surfaces start at the far end of Konehete Park along the Valley River, and end at the Old L&N Depot by the Hiwassee River bridge.

View of the old Southern RR trestle bridge on the Valley River [photo courtesy of Nic Oliver] Click here for the River Walk Map More about the River Walk Project brochures available at the Wellness Center - Konehete Park, and the Cherokee County Welcome Center in Murphy	. Shown above are walkers waving from overlook of the Great Leech Place of Cherokee Indian legend to paddlers in the river below [photo courtesy of Nic Oliver] The project master plan has been completed from Konehete Park all the way to the Old L&N Depot in town. The approximate 2 mile walking trail (or 4 miles round trip, however you wish to take it) follows the Hiwassee River and the Valley River, which meet to form the back waters of Lake Hiwassee and surround the historic town center of Murphy, the Cherokee County seat. As the seasons change, and as the river and lake waters rise and recede, the River Walk & Canoe Trails tend to change character as well. You'll find it a beautiful connection with native plant life, bird and fish species, and the waters of two rivers meeting to form a lake. The natural wonders are breathtaking any time of year. Walking Trail Heads: Konehete Park/Hiwassee Valley Wellness Center, McClelland Street and Old L&N Depot Canoe Put-Ins: Vance Street and Hiwassee Street

Project Manager Johnny Strawn If you run into Johnny Strawn working on the River Walk trail, just say thank you to an extraordinary volunteer! Johnny has been working with the project since 2003, and took over as project manager in May 2010. Contact the River Walk Project Manager	. A Footbridge Over the River [photo courtesy of Nic Oliver] River Walk Plans for 2011-2012: Watch for the continued progress, as in addition to ongoing trail maintenance and enhancement activities the project team is focused on the following new projects in the coming year: Confluence Loop Construction - with the basic trail now completed, this extra loop at the convergence of the Valley and Hiwassee rivers forming Lake Hiwassee is destined to be the most beautiful natural area on the trail. A grant has been awarded by the Dub and Murray Martin Cherokee and Clay County Trust for the project. Another grant application is now pending with the Kodak American Greenways grant program to complete the project. Interpretive Signage Stations - with the basic trail now completed, the River Walk will feature both heritage and ecological interpretive stations along the trail. A grant has been awarded by the OEO Small Growing Opportunities grant program for the project. River Walk Map Brochure Reprint - with the first 5,000 gobbled up, funds have been secured for a trail map brochure update and reprint. In the interim, just click on the first edition (top left) for a printable copy.

Thank You Edwin Manchester (pictured with wife Esther) River Walk Project Manager 2003-2010 The community has the late Edwin Manchester's leadership and inspired efforts to thank for bringing the Murphy River Walk to a beautiful reality. Edwin passed away in August 2010, and left us with a legacy of loving and giving and caring as only an angel on this earth could do. We figure he'll keep heaven busy with more than a few projects. . Home	. Walkers at the Konehete Park section of the River Walk Project Background 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 by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, in January 2003. Phase 1 opened in the fall of 2003 at Konehete Park, and a master plan for its future phases was completed by the fall of 2004. Step by step, the River Walk was completed all the way in to the Old L&N Depot on Railroad Street at the Hiwassee Street river bridge in 2010. Enhancement and improvement activities continue on with the trail surfaces, native landscaping and interpretive markers along the way. The approximate 2-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. Student Projects - Earth Day on the River Walk [photo collage courtesy of Phil Mattox] Fund-raising for future maintenance & construction activities continues. You can help. Your tax deductible contribution is gratefully accepted at any time, and in any amount, payable to: River Walk c/o Barbara Vicknair 16 Boulevard Street Murphy NC 28906 .