MHAB
@shawcable.net
| People Walking On Lawn Hi Guys,
Looking for some advice here.
I just bought a house about a month ago and finally have had a few days off. My lot is a corner lot with a sidewalk down the front and lawn down the side but no side walk down the side, grass and then curb.
My office window is right at the front of the house and monitor is very close to the window.
While on the PC today two people instead of walking along the side walk cut across my lawn with in 5-8 feet of the window as a "shortcut". I am trying very hard to get a nice yard and really do not like people using this "shortcut".
With out doing something drastic what would be a good deterrent to stop this behaviour. I don't want to build a fence around the whole yard but do not want to have people walking through my yard.
What can one realistically (legally, lol) do to stop this?
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, not sure where this fit. | |
|
 
mattmag
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-04-09
NW Illinois
clubs: | Re: People Walking On Lawn
Plant shrubs along the side yard at the curb. | |
|
 | Parneli
join:2004-12-28
Naperville, IL
| Re: People Walking On Lawn said by mattmag  :Plant shrubs along the side yard at the curb. Even without a sidewalk, I wonder if it's not a city easement- and therefore city property- just like the space from sidewalk to street would be if there was one.
Doesn't the city property typically extend 8-10 feet from curb? | |
|
| | 
Thespis
I'm not an actor, but I play one on TV.
Premium
join:2004-08-03
Keller, TX
| Re: People Walking On Lawn said by Parneli :said by mattmag :Plant shrubs along the side yard at the curb. Even without a sidewalk, I wonder if it's not a city easement- and therefore city property- just like the space from sidewalk to street would be if there was one. Doesn't the city property typically extend 8-10 feet from curb? An easement is not public or city property. The easement belongs to the homeowner and he is responsible for its maintainence. The easement is simply the government's reserved right to run utilities in that space. He can plant whatever he wants, but if the city needs to dig it up they can. | |
|
| | | hottboiinnc
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH | Re: People Walking On Lawn that depends on where you live, Here you can not plant trees in that area. If you do the cities do reserve the right to dig them up after you plant. Especially if power lines are above those trees. They also can say what you can do in those areas. | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Singular
Premium
join:2008-08-13
Shelbyville, KY
1 edit | Re: People Walking On Lawn said by nunya :You could spray them with a hose (They even have motion detector sprinklers for "deer"). Also, put on a stained "wife beater" shirt. Set up a lawn chair and drink heavily. Smoke a few pack of cigs while you're out there too. Then, when people walk by shake your fist at them and call them "whipper-snappers". That oughtta do it. Seriously though, I'd start with a "No Trespassing" or "Keep Off Lawn" sign. The deer sprinkler would be *extremely* entertaining - you must admit. I vote for the motion sprinkler. I lol'ed.
I will also accompany my post with this.
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WWKpr6fU2w
Over elaborate, but totally DSLR | |
|
|
builderbob
@cox.net
| does your property have a public right of way? many localities have such a corridor that starts at the curb and comes into your property. space is typically reserved for utilities and sidewalks. without knowing your location I would check with your local zoning office to see if there is a ROW and it's depth. even though you are responsible for this space, trying to correct shortcutters may be a problem. | |
|
|
ProtusMose
Say hi to your mother for me.
Premium
join:2001-10-03
Bellevue, NE | If you do the sprinklers please tape it and upload. | |
|
THE Fatman
@rogers.com | Try running a fence or hedge from the corner of your house out to the corner of the property across the 'pathway' that would be the shortcut.
OR:
Visit your local army surplus store and purchase a few surplus land mines. | |
|
Packeteers
Premium
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
4 edits | if you can't wait for shrubs,
and hate doing fences, you
should try knee high fencing.
»www.mortgageporter.com/reporting···ence.jpg
»www.firstrunfriends.org/photos/treepit.jpg
they are meant for deterring shortcuts and pet droppings
while keeping the view intact. install them a foot or two
behind your property line. look around your neighborhood
for examples of this kind of fencing, and it's proper placement.
you can get anything from cheap wood & wire
to expensive metal decorative grate work.
you can also use them temporarily, or in concert
with any shrubbery you plant, while it matures.
I don't agree that signs or verbally asking people
to avoid stepping on your lawn is at all effective.
you have to install something to remind/deter them. | |
|
Pacrat
Old and Cranky
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-10
Cortland, OH
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| I'd start by asking folks to stop using your lawn as a thoroughfare. Some folks are just ignorant of the impact of constant traffic across a lawn. Failing that, a small, decorative border, be it a chain, picket-type fence, or plantings to clearly indicate the limit of the lawn.
Kids are almost always going to push that limit, though. Adults should be more co-operative, given the information that you're not very pleased with their path of travel. The lack of a sidewalk does not necessarily give anyone the right to tread across your lawn. Some folks just don't think, and need to be politely reminded that their behavior is unacceptable. I further suggest that you avoid antagonizing anyone. You may win the battle and lose the war.
A prime example of that is something that happened a few years ago at the local high school football field. Some kids... weekend warriors, thought they had the right to use the football field as their own personal playground. They were not so politely informed that their presence constituted trespass and were instructed to leave by the local authorities after they ignored school officials' demand that they depart. A few weeks later, a few rather vivid obscenities magically appeared across the middle of the field. It seems they used a drop spreader to fertilize their composition into the field. I thought it was a pretty creative way to "get even'" without actually damaging the area. Consequently, it took fertilizing the rest of the field and many weeks before all remnants of their message disappeared.
So... I'd start by politely getting your message across... and proceed from there. It may be all it takes.
--
I was born at night... but not last night! | |
|
MHAB
@shawcable.net
| Thanks for the replys.
I have met the neighbors and they are nice people it seems like it is more younger people and I have no clue where they live. There is a school right across the street (kinder garden - 4th grade) and a large park on the other side of that which I think is drawing the traffic.
My property line is not right at the curb but we are expected to take of it and as such previous owners installed sprinklers etc. I wouldn't have a problem if they just walked on the grass along the curb but to cut across like they are is laziness on their part IMO.
I am definitely going to look into some of these suggestions.
I really do not want to build a fence in this area as it would really mess up the underground sprinkler spray. How ever maybe a few pegs and low construction strings like I am planning the fence may deter them...
Here is a very rough drawing of my yard.
 | |
|
| 
Lurch77
Stop looking at me.
Premium
join:2001-11-22
+44.88-87.89
1 edit | Re: People Walking On Lawn
Blue shows where we are talking about. |  | |
From experience, I can tell you that nothing but a physical barrier like this will stop people from cutting the corner.
--
Selfish, adj. Devoid of consideration for the selfishness of others. | |
|
| |
diskdocx
join:2005-09-26
Burlington, ON
·Cogeco Cable
| It's grass.
At the end of the day, it may well not be worth the fight.
I suspect that the meter reader, letter carrier, paper delivery all walk door to door over your grass.
Grass is hardy, and unless it's a very high volume path, you won't likely get significant damage from someone walking on it - you walk on it to cut it right?
The above suggestions, while valid, are probably not neighbourly.
You can be right, but you can also have a miserable SOB who decides to make your life miserable cause he got sprinkled.
As for planting beds , you'll probably find people walking through them - far more annoying than walking on your grass.
Don't put up wiring or anything which could trip someone in the dark - you could actually be sued, depending upon your local bylaws.
As a homeowner for many years, sometimes it's better to pick your battles. | |
|
|
Packeteers
Premium
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
4 edits | MHAB - I would definitely install knee high fencing which won't interfere with your sprinklers.
but another idea is to install outdoor spotlighting with carefully calibrated motion sensors along the two corner sides of your house. the idea being the lights go on (even during the day) to remind people that they are walking too close to your house. it's subtle, but may help with adults and less obnoxious children who may simply forget to extend to you the common courtesy of staying off your property, and giving you privacy and security by your window. obviously, the light should shine and detector should work - well within your property - not near the public sidewalk or curb.
there are also motion detecting sprinkler heads, but even I would
admit that's too radical a solution to deter corner foot traffic.
kids would most likely just break it, and it's useless in the winter;
»www.biconet.com/critter/sprinkler.html
note: machine gun toting granny is optional; may require daily sponge baths. | |
|
| 
Daarken
Rara Avises
join:2005-01-12
Cajun Countr | Re: People Walking On Lawn liability...
that is what it will come down to.
build the fence and your liability is reduced, do nothing and your chances and liability go thru the roof..
good luck
--
www.pointofexistence.com | |
|
| | 
WALL_E
Premium
join:2003-05-28
USA
| Re: People Walking On Lawn said by Daarken :liability... that is what it will come down to. build the fence and your liability is reduced, do nothing and your chances and liability go thru the roof.. good luck The people cutting across his lawn are trespassers. If they were invitees, the OP would be liable and have to reasonably provide for their safety.
However, because they are trespassers, the OP is only liable for any injury that results to trespassers as a result of an intentional act on his part. For example, if he ran fishing wire across and someone tripped and hurt themselves, he would be liable.
If a trespasser cuts across his lawn and trips on, for example, a rake the OP leaves in the yard, he is not liable b/c the injury was not the result of deliberate action on his part.
--
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble." | |
|
| | |
Lurch77
Stop looking at me.
Premium
join:2001-11-22
+44.88-87.89
| Re: People Walking On Lawn said by WALL_E :said by Daarken :liability... that is what it will come down to. build the fence and your liability is reduced, do nothing and your chances and liability go thru the roof.. good luck The people cutting across his lawn are trespassers. If they were invitees, the OP would be liable and have to reasonably provide for their safety. However, because they are trespassers, the OP is only liable for any injury that results to trespassers as a result of an intentional act on his part. For example, if he ran fishing wire across and someone tripped and hurt themselves, he would be liable. If a trespasser cuts across his lawn and trips on, for example, a rake the OP leaves in the yard, he is not liable b/c the injury was not the result of deliberate action on his part. Lawyers have found ways around that logic before. Remember that we live in the land of frivolous lawsuits.
--
Selfish, adj. Devoid of consideration for the selfishness of others. | |
|
quatrix
Premium
join:2005-02-11
Davie, FL | I hope you're not in a homeowner's association. Ours wouldn't allow anything that's been suggested here other than talking. | |
|
| Austinloop
join:2001-08-19
Austin, TX | Re: People Walking On Lawn Really got to love HOA's, don't we? | |
|
|
Packeteers
Premium
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY | a mound of dirt and stones may work well,
but i'd check with a landscaper to be sure
the dirt won't muddy the sidewalk after a
heavy rain, and kids won't chuck the rocks. | |
|
rgoltsch
join:2001-03-04
Caldwell, NJ
 ·Verizon FIOS
| A few well placed, and highly visible, dog turds should do the trick. Make them think they are going to risk walking in a minefield and they might choose another path. No one likes to be cleaning poop off their shoes.
We have a weimariner, so we have plenty to spare if you need to come pick some up.
Ron | |
|
| 
delt4
17 years ... still waiting
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Pittsburgh, PA
·Comcast
| Re: People Walking On Lawn said by rgoltsch :A few well placed, and highly visible, dog turds should do the trick. Make them think they are going to risk walking in a minefield and they might choose another path. No one likes to be cleaning poop off their shoes. We have a weimariner, so we have plenty to spare if you need to come pick some up. Ron LOL Ron. I know what you mean. Got the same kind of dog here as well. Your comment gave me a nice chuckle..... Weimaraner | |
|
|
| (topic locked) |
|
·
·
·
