How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

We have a 3/4 acre lot, so not really big but a bit of open space; our lot is also a gradual hill.

All day today the kids who live behind us have been snowboarding down our hill. At first I was totally blown away that they would just use our yard without asking, but I didn't want to be the mean old lady so I decided to overlook it.

They kept moving further and further up our lot until the were actaully up as far as the house, then when night came they started setting up lights! At that point I decided enough was enough and went out to tell them I didn't want them snowboarding on our lawn.

They seemed completely flabergasted that I would send them home.

Am I being a mean old lady here??? Would you have let them snowbaord in your yard?

Message edited 12/20/2008 8:00:06 PM.

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

IMO you're not mean. You're a home owner who would most likely be sued if one of those kids got hurt on your property. I would have told them "sorry no tresspasing"!
You did the right thing.

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

absolutely not on my property. If it's my kid and his friends, that's one thing. Generally, no one should be on your property. The liability is huge!

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

That's what I was thinking as well, I told the kids if they got hurt we'd be responcible.

I think this summer we'll be planting a hedgerow at the back property line.

Message edited 12/20/2008 8:17:02 PM.

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

When we lived in our apartment these little kids used to ride their bikes in our driveway and yard that was paved over. It really annoyed me because first of all the mother wasn't even paying attention to what they were doing and also they could have gotten hit by a car.

And they were toddlers.

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

You were alot more patient than I would have been. You did the right thing by telling them to pack it up.

There has been a neighborhood kid that has walked through my yard 3x now. Twice (once was today) I spoke to him and once I couldn't catch him with his friend (he was sort of running). This really bugs me! I can't wait for our fence!

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

I have a corner piece of property and have had problems with the kids ending up on the front lawn playing ball, when we are not home, I can tell by the way the grass is kind of torn up.

One day when I came home a window was broken. So I went down the dead end side street where I know the kids live and introduced myself to every set of parents that lived there and told them I didn't want to be the beyotch at the end of the street, but I donn't have kids, they shouldn't be on my property. I now have to fix a broken window with no recourse, but I'm sure if one of them got hurt on my property, their parents would be seeking financial recourse, aka suing me.

Since then it has not happend.
You have more patience than I.

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

I totally agree with you. We live on a corner property and kids are always playing on our side yard. They play football, baseball even hide and seek and step all over our bushes to hide in them.
Before we had a baby we didn't really pay any mind to them (even after a ball broke our side window) we didn't want to be "those" neighbor's who yelled at all the children, but once we had a baby and she was sleeping in the room where they we're playing I had to say something.
I felt bad but come on..I was more pizzed at the parents for not saying anything to them. I would never let my child run all over playing ball on someone's lawn.
You had to say something.

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

I don't even like when their hide and seek game encroaches on my driveway or their tage game causes someone to be chased across my front lawn. No way in h*ll would they be sledding down a hill in my yard. I'd forego any savings and get a fence, be it natural or picket....something has to present them with the concept that it's not theirs for the taking. And how incredibly ignorant and down right rude of the parents. It sux though....cause when they get older, Halloween could be a time for revenge. Be tactful, but keep your privacy.

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

you mean mean woman..JK

I think you did the right thing. Yesterday kids were playing on our neighbors FRONT lawn. I mean snow angels etc right under her front window. We knew they were not her grandkids so DH asked them to leave. One of them looked at him like he had 4 heads and grumbled something smart azz. DH told him if he returns next time he wont be so nice. They (neighbors)are elderly and easily scared--next time it will be the cops. They shut up and left.

Message edited 12/21/2008 8:03:27 AM.

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

You were nicer than I would have been. I would have kicked them out sooner. I can't believe the b@lls. Especially that they started setting up lights! Holy cow!

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

oh no no no....they were setting up lights? i would have went out there and told them they needed to ask permission...that is, as long as you are ok with them sliding on your property. the daytime wouldn't have bothered me but then it sounds like they totally were encroaching on your property!!!!

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

Thanks for all of the opinions guys, I think I'll stop by and speak with their Mom today. I kids aren't young, they are probably 16 or 17 definatley old enough to walk to the town park that is about a mile away and has a larger hill to play on.

I really didn't want to be a mean neighbor, but I am also not willing to be liable for the kids if they do get hurt.

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

OH MAN, I would have been FUMING! You were right in telling them to leave. If God forbid one of them gets hurt, you would be hearing from their attorney, just because it's your property they were playing on. I can't stand when people let their kids do this. THere is a bus stop across the street from me, and these parents let their kids run around my neighbors front lawn like it's their playground or something!

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

ITA!!!

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?

For liability alone, you did the right thing.

We rented a corner house in Long Beach and our neighbor had a party one day. The kids from the party were playing wiffle ball in our sideyard that bordered theirs. I didn't say anything at first, because it's possible their relatives thought it was an extension of their yard.

But when the kids started running around the front of the house and trampling my flowerbeds, I went out and said something. The adults were nonchalant and didn't really do much. The kids would still run on our yard after that but not much. I know it wasn't my house, or my responsibility if something had happened, but I thought it was rude. Maybe they thought that since I rented, my opinion and flowerbeds didn't matter.

The day we moved out, she decided to unload all of her resentment about things that I didn't do for them over the years. I didn't give them a present when they had their second child, etc. I was appalled. And happy, that I wasn't going to live next door to the busybody of the block anymore!

Re: How do you feel about kids playing on your property?