Our region is honeycombed with lush state and local parks, tree-lined hiking opportunities, and recreational areas. We do a great job of taking advantage of scenic areas and walking pathways, wherever they present themselves. The Rails to Trails system (also known as the Great American Rail-Trail) is a great example of creating new walking paths where old freight lines spiderweb across the metro Seattle area. Currently, there are 393 miles in this trail network. However, the opening of new recreational trails does not always consider homeowner property rights near the trailheads. This oversight results in Rails to Trails users mistakenly parking or trespassing on private property.
Avoiding Unwanted Traffic in Bellevue, WA
A Bellevue homeowner’s property is adjacent to the local Rails to Trails entrance, which has insufficient parking and not enough space to turn around. Although he marks his driveway entrance with orange cones, trail visitors mistakenly use his driveway as a parking area associated with the trail, thus blocking his access to the road. In addition, trail users confuse his long, curving, sloping driveway for a street exiting the park area, despite clear signage identifying the roadway as private property. This has resulted in drivers realizing their mistake after trying to turn around. Several times, the property owner has had to summon a tow truck to remove a stuck vehicle from his damaged landscaping.
Over the course of several years, he and his neighbors have spent thousands of dollars on:
- Repairs for broken landscape lighting
- Repairs to plantings
- Removal of tire marks from people attempting to turn around in the driveway.
The homeowner called Automated Gates, seeking a secure, permanent solution to prevent blockages, the nuisance and expense of damage and repairs, and the nagging worry that a vehicle might fall onto his home. The solution was an attractive automated steel swinging gate that covers about three-quarters of the driveway, allowing the homeowner’s visitors to enter his property on foot without having to open the gate.
The homeowner added lighting to make his new driveway gate easy to see after sunset. Additional automated gate access and control features include:
- A keypad for manually inputting an access keycode
- An automatic gate closing mechanism
- Backup batteries for power if the electricity were to go out.
The driveway slopes sharply a few feet from the gate’s pillar and footing. So, the Automated Gates team shored up the gate pillar with extra footings.
Q. Why are security gates a better solution for preventing unwanted vehicle parking and traffic than other means?
A. Drivers often mistake the yellow cones as directional guidance. Painted boulders are the least desirable option. The high-visibility boulders are unattractive and can cause vehicle damage, resulting in homeowner liability, when not carefully placed and managed.
Q. Is the lack of parking or insufficient turnaround areas a common issue at trails in Seattle and on the Eastside?
A. Yes. On the one hand, we are blessed with ample trailways and recreational areas. On the other hand, trail access has a higher priority than consideration for residents’ rights. Any property owner who might benefit from close proximity to their own private trailhead is at risk of the same problem – unwanted vehicle parking or traffic.
Protect Your Property From Unwanted Parking, Trespassing, And Expensive Damage
Call us today at (206) 767-9080 or contact us online to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation site visit. An Automated Gates expert will discuss your concerns and solutions in the convenience of your home.
Citations
- Rails to Trails – Great American Rail-Trail in Washington
- AEGates – Residential Slide Gates.