River Walk adds kayak ramp in final trail phase

    Murphy – Kayakers will have a new access point for adventure on the Valley River this spring.
    Heritage Partners and River Walk volunteers are completing the final phase of the trail. With the help of Mainspring Conservation Trust and Hinton Rural Life Center, they are adding a kayak access ramp just below the bridge on Bulldog Drive.
    “We’re just trying to reduce the risk for people wanting access,” said Nick Oliver from the Hinton Center.
    Johnny Strawn, the former River Walk project manager, said a number of people enjoy that section of the river, and he sees it being used by more than just kayakers. He volunteers with Mainspring and continues to help with the River Walk as a volunteer.
    “From here down to the park will be a very easy little float,” he said. “But they won’t do it if we don’t provide an access point.”
    Strawn added that recreational kayaking has grown in popularity. There are plenty of opportunities for that activity along the rivers here.
    When complete, the ramp will be a 12-feet-wide staircase with a slide in the middle for kayaks. The trail will be filled in and graded after the ramp is complete so the two are level and safe.
    Strawn hopes the ramp and trail to the parking lot at Murphy High School’s track will be complete in a month. He said their progress will depend on the weather.
    Mainspring and the Hinton Center got involved in the project because of Strawn and Oliver’s previous volunteerism with the trail.
    “This is outside of the normal home improvements we normally do,” Oliver said. “It’s a good project to be involved in. … I consider the River Walk to be an asset to the community.”
    There is another access point along the trail near the L&N Depot, but it is a natural access point. The ramp will be similar to ones at the Ranger Community Center and in Hayesville.
    Other natural access points to the river can be found at the Welch Farm and Pacesetters Adventure Center, both in Marble.