Monday, September 25, 2006
Is lake access worth the grief?
Is lake access worth the grief it will cause?
The council decided tonight to launch into what could be a devisive issue. But for too long, we have pretended the issue did not exist . For years, the city's official documents have said that someday the city might develop mini-parks at several places where streets dead-end into lakes.
To me, this is like a sword hanging over the head of the people who live at these street ends. Those folks are understandably worried who may gather at those street ends.
But at the same time, you and I own the streets that dead-end into the lakes. Legally, we should have access to the lakes there. But are we interested enough to want to infringe on the tranquility of our neighbors?
Well, now we'll know. The council authorized staff to survey people who live around the lakes - and people who do not live on the lakes - to see what they think. Stay tuned for more information. There will also be further discussions about whether ownership would even allow active public access.
I should note that not everyone knows where these lanes are, so here's the list: On Lake Steilacoom, Westlake, Mt Tacoma Drive and West Shore Drive, Beach Lane SW, Lake Ave., 100th St Sw (off Meadow) and Holly Hedge Lane. On American Lake, Lake City Blvd and Wadsworth Street. On Gravelly Lake, Hilltop Lane and Linwood Lane. And there are a couple on Lake Louise that are not easily described - one by 104th St SW and Melody Lane and the other several driveways south of 104th on Lake Louise Lane.
