Submitted by turbodsm t3_zxsw5c in Pennsylvania
newworldman1070 t1_j23s8nn wrote
Reply to comment by turbodsm in Who would like this law changed? Regarding trails on preserved farmland by turbodsm
Pine creek rail trail.
turbodsm OP t1_j23v3wn wrote
Those are good concerns. Maybe it needs more restroom facilities at the trailheads. It looks like there are bathrooms every 5 miles but People are allowed to shit in the woods though provided that move far away from water sources and the trail.
I've never been to this trail but it seems to be world renowned. And the issues you raised aren't unique to trails, they can happen in neighborhoods too.
My specific point is related to preserved farmlands in suburbia not allowing sidewalks or paths through the edges of their property because their hands are tied by the law, not that they wouldn't support the cause.
newworldman1070 t1_j23w49g wrote
Or…..people could respect private property.
turbodsm OP t1_j23z4d6 wrote
Yeah people are shitty. That's not a reason to stop building trails though.
newworldman1070 t1_j23zf06 wrote
Right. It’s a great reason to not take private land and turn it into trails.
Build all you want on public land.
turbodsm OP t1_j240v48 wrote
You're talking about eminent domain when nobody else is taking about eminent domain.
newworldman1070 t1_j243yj6 wrote
A township or county isn’t going to fund the construction of a trail without first owning the land.
If the farmers were ok with people tromping all over their land, they probably would already allow public access.
I’m going to assume that you are not a land owner? I am. It comes with a very unique and specific set of headaches.
turbodsm OP t1_j2458yd wrote
Go read the feasibility studies for each proposed trail. They discuss this. You're not stating some little know fact. Oh wow, a county won't construct a trail on land they don't own the rights to construct on? No way. Who would have guessed. Roads and highways have been built through farms for decades. Can I get a trail along the outer edge? NO WAY!
https://www.buckscounty.gov/400/Trails-Program
>Much of the land within the study area is publicly held which minimizes the need for easements. However, in some cases, easements or land acquisition will be required to secure the right-of-way for the trail. For instance, there is the potential for routes to run through school district, homeowner association, or privately held lands. Easements or acquisitions will need to be obtained from these landowners to develop the trail network.
newworldman1070 t1_j2464ee wrote
Easements or acquisitions.
So if 5 out of 8 properties get on board, but the last three hold out, guess how that land becomes acquired.
Eminent Domain.
turbodsm OP t1_j246lcx wrote
>Eminent Domain: Although not desirable, and therefore not used very often, eminent domain can be used to acquire land. Eminent domain is the power of government to acquire property for public use so long as the government pays just compensation. The government can exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire property even if the property owner does not wish to sell the property. Government taking of such property is called a condemnation, or a taking. It is seldom used in part due to the need to show that the taking of the land does constitute public use.
Read the studies :)
newworldman1070 t1_j248bqh wrote
Here are my final thoughts on the matter.
About 40 years ago, my wife’s family farm was taken by Eminent Domain. At that time, we had read all the studies, spoken with people on both sides and were assured that eminent domain was not on the table. Needless to say, we don’t own that farm anymore, and were paid only a fraction of todays value.
Furthermore, if walking outside is something that you enjoy, consider living in an area with large amounts of public land and hiking trails. Don’t demand that others make their land available to you.
turbodsm OP t1_j249jnw wrote
Why would you get anything close to "today's value" if the land was taken 40 years ago.
Was a road built? Why was it taken?
How do you think highways were built? Land was taken. Trails are much more responsible use of land than taking land and building a highway through it. And like any internet comment, you're exaggerating the situation. You're basing your opinion on some one specific example and applying it to everywhere. That's not how the world works.
I live in a suburban area with 2 million people within a 1 hour drive. Righting the wrongs of past development means making routes for non car users and there's a preservation law stopping progress. That's the topic.
newworldman1070 t1_j249wn5 wrote
I suggest you just go out and buy your own land, stop trying to make everyone else let you use your own for free.
turbodsm OP t1_j24bnb6 wrote
Nah I'm good. I'll keep fighting for public right of ways containing pedestrian paths through my county and that does include using easements along farms and private property.
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