Paints and Photographs scenes of Gloucester, Massachusetts Waterfront and Cape Ann. http://capeannpainter.wordpress.com/
View all posts by capeannpainter
8 thoughts on “Private Property?”
Yes, that patch of Good Harbor sand across from the Beach Club where the Beach Club wooden pedestrian bridge to the main beach used to be is property of the Beach Club. (My mother, Charlotte Barry, was president of the club for many years and their possible liability was always an issue.) In Massachusetts in general the adjacent (riparian) property owner owns from LOW tide up, not from the high tide line as in some states, although the public has rights of fishing, fowling, and navigation on such “private tidelands”. You can be sure that the Beach Club lawyers and insurance companies made them post those signs. By the way swimming is navigation but wading is trespassing 🙂
As a person who grew up in the 50’s and spent a lot of time at Good Harbor Beach, I remember using that wooden bridge many times when the main bridge to the beach was damaged. How and when did the Beach Club take ownership of that area?????
According to beach club management, it was not attorneys or insurance companies or liability issues that prompted the posting of the signs and the calling of police on “trespassers”. Rather, it was stated very clearly to me that club management very simply wants a private beach where they can exclude non-members.
The sign says private property “Pass or swim at your own risk” It doesn’t say keep out or no trespassing. The way it reads to me is to provide a layer of protection from lawyers and let’s be honest, if someone gets hurt there, and the lawyer finds out that The BRBC owns the property, they are going to come for them.
Honor the sacred.
Honor the Earth, our Mother.
Honor the Elders.
Honor all with whom we
share the Earth:-
Four-leggeds, two-leggeds,
winged ones,
Swimmers, crawlers,
plant and rock people.
Walk in balance and beauty.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Yes, that patch of Good Harbor sand across from the Beach Club where the Beach Club wooden pedestrian bridge to the main beach used to be is property of the Beach Club. (My mother, Charlotte Barry, was president of the club for many years and their possible liability was always an issue.) In Massachusetts in general the adjacent (riparian) property owner owns from LOW tide up, not from the high tide line as in some states, although the public has rights of fishing, fowling, and navigation on such “private tidelands”. You can be sure that the Beach Club lawyers and insurance companies made them post those signs. By the way swimming is navigation but wading is trespassing 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
As a person who grew up in the 50’s and spent a lot of time at Good Harbor Beach, I remember using that wooden bridge many times when the main bridge to the beach was damaged. How and when did the Beach Club take ownership of that area?????
LikeLike
Damn lawyers…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ugly sign, visual pollution.
LikeLiked by 1 person
According to beach club management, it was not attorneys or insurance companies or liability issues that prompted the posting of the signs and the calling of police on “trespassers”. Rather, it was stated very clearly to me that club management very simply wants a private beach where they can exclude non-members.
LikeLike
The sign says private property “Pass or swim at your own risk” It doesn’t say keep out or no trespassing. The way it reads to me is to provide a layer of protection from lawyers and let’s be honest, if someone gets hurt there, and the lawyer finds out that The BRBC owns the property, they are going to come for them.
LikeLike
You have got to joking! Arrrrrg
LikeLike
Honor the sacred.
Honor the Earth, our Mother.
Honor the Elders.
Honor all with whom we
share the Earth:-
Four-leggeds, two-leggeds,
winged ones,
Swimmers, crawlers,
plant and rock people.
Walk in balance and beauty.
Native American Elder
🙂 Dave
LikeLike