Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Lost Our Trail

Well, we have definitely lost the last portion of the abandoned railroad line that connects us to the horseback riding park. John finally made it to the county courthouse to do some research. With internet and GPS and all this great technology, he was able to go online and find that someone did, in fact, buy that stretch of the abandoned rail line. We wrote to the owner, asking for permission to ride to the park, promising a hold-harmless for any injuries, and gave our word that we would not litter or cause a problem. As of yet we have no response from them, so we are operating und the belief that "no news is bad news" in this case.

It seems the only thing we can do now is contact the property owners on the other side of that stretch of line and ask if we can cut a narrow path through their parcels parallel to the railroad line. I believe there are about four different owners we would have to ask. Could be a long shot....

We rode down there on Sunday, and there is still a big tree across the entrance to that part of the railroad line. Looking down the line, we also see large boulders across the path as well. So it looks like things are changing.

Since we could not ride that part of the railroad line, we did something different. We rode down the street (which I do not like doing) and went to an area where there are some apartments for the Purdue North Central students and some new homes being built. It is really pretty there with ponds and bridges and beautiful grass. So we rode around there a bit and then came home.

I've got to compose a really nice letter to those property owners by the railroad line. Maybe I will include some pictures of our horses......

Maybe we should offer to pay them??? But with us being in real estate, there is not a lot of money to go around. Any suggestions???

6 comments:

Desert Rose said...

Well we have the same issues on the trails in the PNW that go from the stables. Soem people love to see you and say no problem. Others say no it's our property ...we don't want you here. We are lucky that we can go around those 2 folk. I am not sure by it is such a big deal for them if we walk in the ditch along side their house...but they act like we are stealing from them. We have even had people tell us to saty off their neighbors place too!!!
I think a personal visit is best. it's harder for them to say no to your face! ;)

Jeni said...

Oh that sucks! I hope the other property owners are open to your suggestions. Road riding can be dangerous! Bonnie and almost got hit one day.. the lady was so close when she stopped Bonnie's tail was in her bumper!!!!!

I didn't even get a "sorry" from the driver....

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...

Well, unfortunately I don't agree with having the right to ride on other person's property because I've been in their position and unless you have been there, it's difficult to get. I don't understand why people think they have the "right" to do so? These owners purchased, maintain and pay property taxes on it. That's why property lines/boundaries are created so it's a non issue or so it should be. We have people cutting across ours all the time without any regard to no trespassing signs. They never ask us, they just take it upon themselves to do so.....not only that but liter in the meantime which I get to pick up. I agree with DR that you should definitely make it a personal visit verses a letter. Perhaps developing an actual caring relationship with our neighbors is a thing of the past but that's where it starts. Money would not change my mind....respect might and getting to know the people who are asking me to trespass. People just form their opinions and don't even try to put themselves in the other person's shoes and to me that's just plain selfishness at work, only caring about getting their needs met. An agenda....riding where "they" want and what's most convenient for them not considering the other person. Sorry this is the other side of the coin but maybe not a perspective you might have considered. We load our horses up and take them to a local horse park created just for horses/trail riding, nothing else can come into the park and no horses without vaccination papers are allowed. The name of it is York Hills in Albion if you're interested. We had a lot of fun last year camping. I'm just saying treat people the way you would like to be treated is all. Hope you get a good response.

Callie said...

Oh that sucks, no suggestions, other than what you're planning, Good Luck!

John and Regina Zdravich said...

LuLo -- I think you misunderstand me. I do agree with you that people do not just have the right to ride, or walk, or 4 wheel or anything else on private property just because they want to. The trail we used to ride to the park was an abandoned railroad line. It was owned by the railroad, and since they were not using it anymore, it was easement and the public did have the right to use it. But now that it is actually owned by someone, we realize they have the right to say we cannot ride there, and we accept that. But we are disappointed by it....it would be nice if they would continue to let us ride. We do not litter or disrespect or anything. But their decision is their decision. That is why we are thinking of approaching the people on the other side of the railroad line for permission. So actually, you and I are in agreement.

Rising Rainbow said...

Sorry, no ideas here. Our access to any place to ride went years ago. Sometimes "progress" sucks!