For many decades my small neighborhood has accessed Ragle Park via a path through a field and wood that was, until recently, part of a much larger orchard parcel. That piece was bought by a vineyard and subdivided, with the lower portion sold to a couple from the midwest planning to retire here. They will be breaking ground sometime in the coming year.
Recently I wrote to them, on behalf of my family and the other neighbors who use the path, asking if they would still grant access via the lower edge of the property. A new path here would have little-to-no impact on the property in its placement and would see only a very small amount of traffic. But of course it would mean a great deal to those of us who rely on this access to enjoy the public land as we do. The traffic on Bodega from here makes biking or walking to the main entrance impossible, especially with kids.
The couple, however, has replied in the negative, stating that "[d][/FONT]eep concerns for our privacy and liability outweigh your wish or anyone else's wish for open access across our homestead." I find this response pretty terrible. Community right-of-ways exist all around the park. Denying neighbors access to public land seems so wrong here. Sebastopolians live and breathe with liberal principles in mind; they are probably the most community-minded town in the country, and a reaction like this goes against every fiber of its being.
Does anyone have a suggestion on how to handle this?
Thanks, Katy