Lively parks and annual events support Murphy’s active community
It can be easy to label Murphy a bedroom community within the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex, but this suburban city has a lot going on. “Our town is very active,” says Jackie Hurtado, a local Realtor with eXp Realty. “We have several events during the year.” With a flourishing public parks system, the city has a scenic setting for those events. Come to Murphy Central Park every Friday night each June for live music as part of the Sounds at Sundown concert series. Or catch a family-friendly movie on weekends in May. With an amphitheater that can seat up to 3,000 people, this park is well-suited for large community events.
The city has mostly newer subdivisions with tidy, tree-lined streets
Murphy has grown quickly over the last couple of decades, and houses in the city reflect that growth. You can still find older ranch-style homes spread out on large lots, but most of what you’ll see in the town is newer homes in planned subdivisions. These large homes come with brick and stone exteriors and are closer together than their older counterparts, but still have enough room that you won’t feel crammed in with your neighbors.
Built-in garages are standard in these subdivisions, but they’re usually located on the side of the home, leaving the front looking neat and tidy. Because most of the subdivisions are relatively new, the trees haven’t filled in to the point where they offer plenty of shade in the community, but they do add a touch of natural beauty to the homes. Sidewalks line the neighborhood streets, giving residents room for a stroll through the area. Hurtado says depending on which subdivision you look at, you can find homes listed for anywhere from $600,000 to $1 million.
Fishing spots, sports facilities and trails at Murphy Central Park
In addition to the amphitheater, Murphy Central Park has plenty of other fun to enjoy. The park has a stocked fishing pond, playground, picnic facilities and 5 acres of multi-use sports fields. A half-mile walking trail through the park connects to the longer Maxwell Creek Trails, an extensive network of nature trails that follow the meandering Maxwell Creek north to south through the city. The system includes concrete hike and bike trails, off-road dirt trails and granite nature trails. The trails will connect to a larger Collin County Trails System when completed.
McMillen High offers electives and activities focused on the arts
Students in Murphy might attend Boggess Elementary School, Murphy Middle School, CA McMillen High School and Plano East Senior High School. Each of the schools receives an A overall rating from Niche. McMillen High School serves students in grades nine and 10 and offers a range of elective courses in fine arts, engineering and computer technology. Students can participate in extracurricular activities like National Honor Society, orchestra, choir and several sports teams.
A casual town center offers fast food chains, markets and The BackYard
The intersection of Murphy Road and FM 544 is the town’s commercial hub, with several chain restaurants lining the streets. There are also a few popular local restaurants here, such as The BackYard. With a barbecue-centric menu and a patio featuring cornhole and picnic tables, it’s a popular spot to spend a weekend evening. When you want to cook at home, you can pick up groceries at the local Sprouts Farmers Market or Walmart Supercenter.
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Written By
Jessica Haddad
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Photography Contributed By
Stacey Callaway
