Home › Forums › West Seattle Rants & Raves › RANT: Long-time dead-end gate barricaded at Fauntleroy & 48th SW (WTF?)
- This topic has 14 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 12 months ago by froggy8.
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December 3, 2022 at 2:54 pm #1051325
KskjalParticipantJust checking in to see who else is frustrated about the closed/barred gate where Fauntleroy dead-ends just south of the ferry dock. I grew up in the neighborhood and have used that pass-through for well over thirty years. Seems insane to close off that valuable neighborhood connection. Thoughts??
December 3, 2022 at 3:38 pm #1051328
inshaneParticipantLived in the area for decades and this is the best, safest way to walk through this beautiful, friendly neighborhood. I’ve met some of the nicest people (and nicest dogs!) walking through there. Never seen it closed in all these years and it’s become less and less accessible over the last few years. What kind of neighbor does this to their community? What a bummer. What to do?!?
December 3, 2022 at 3:47 pm #1051330
stromcampParticipantWe’re right there with you on the frustration. We live on 47th and for years it has been our go-to exercise loop route (humans and our puppy). Walkable neighborhoods are so important.
- This reply was modified 12 months ago by stromcamp.
December 3, 2022 at 4:35 pm #1051338
BracePointWoodyParticipantI am very frustrated as well. We have lived close to that gate for 13 years and have used it almost twice a day. We live on a critical slope and while we have great views, we don’t have a yard. We have a dog and need to walk him twice a day. Our normal safe walk is through that gate and down to the ferry dock. I don’t understand why it has been closed/locked.
December 3, 2022 at 9:38 pm #1051365
thewellingtonParticipantYeah. It’s a bummer, been using it for years. I am surprised that the gate is even allowed there. Also the fence seems kind of high, wonder what the statute for fences in Seattle is…
December 4, 2022 at 11:18 am #1051403
LCFParticipantIt is so unfortunate – we have lived here for 20 years and have used that pathway uninterrupted the entire time, providing meaningful connections with our neighbors and making our neighborhood safer. I miss greeting people and pets as they walk by and am sad that our neighbors need to identify and navigate alternate routes up/on busier streets without sidewalks – my son on his way to school, families with strollers, pets, etc. Agree with inshane, what kind of neighbor does this to our community??
December 4, 2022 at 12:59 pm #1051410
KBearParticipantPretty sure that’s a public right-of-way, and the fence and gate are illegal encroachments. Might want to try reporting it through the Find-it-Fix-it app, or through the SDCI web site: https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/codes/make%C2%A0a-property-or-building-complaint
December 4, 2022 at 7:51 pm #1051447
sspParticipantI too, am dismayed to see this walk through/ gate boarded up. So many people in the neighborhood have used this path for decades. Connecting with neighbors and friends on the other side, kids getting to and from school, Walking pets, Halloween trick or treating, neighborhood celebrations. All taken away and for what?? What kind of neighbor does such a thing?
December 4, 2022 at 11:03 pm #1051464
lytterdalParticipantI agree that the gate should not be blocked from neighborhood access as I have used that pathway for over 20yrs. Living in the neighborhood, I have met and talked to many people as they walked to and from the park. This is the charm of our neighborhood and the reason I live here. Please reach out to those that live along the street to see what can be done. We are here to make it right together.
December 6, 2022 at 10:59 am #1051615
mark47nParticipantI pulled up a map of the end of Fauntleroy and the path of where it turns into 48th. It’s not a sure thing that this 170′ stretch is a part of a ROW. It’s possible it’s a private inholding where access has been historically permitted. With the increase in homelessness and encampments many have closed of access to wooded areas to prevent access and this has been true for both public and private entities. It’s possible it qualifies as a ‘street end’ which often allows some access. It’s also possible it’s private but has a utility easement which would bar public access, which is why there’s a gate and not a fence. The only way to know for sure is look up survey’s and plat maps.
To insist that you should have access is fine but you’ll simply have to work it out with the owners. Alas, if they’ve just recently barred access then it’s unlikely that you’ll make much headway.
Before you froth at the mouth, by the way, consider if you’d allow anyone and everyone to tromp through your yard as the please. I would not.
December 6, 2022 at 12:03 pm #1051624
KskjalParticipantThanks for your input, Mark. But it’s not “wooded” nor is there any “homelessness or encampments” anywhere in the area. And if you saw it you’d agree it doesn’t encroach on their yard whatsoever. I dunno who’s frothing at the mouth, just seems like these folks could be more neighborly and less assholeish.
December 6, 2022 at 1:32 pm #1051628
937ParticipantAccording to the King County parcel viewer that is private property.
December 6, 2022 at 8:49 pm #1051660
aaParticipantSounds like it might be the result of a change in ownership of the property and the new owners don’t want people walking through. If that’s the case, they probably don’t have the same connection to their neighbors as the previous owners had. There are some nice stories here, maybe there is a conversation to be had with the new owners?
December 7, 2022 at 1:45 pm #1051708
937ParticipantI don’t know, Kskjal. It seems you might be the one with the issue. Words matter and making a statement like this one “more neighborly and less assholeish” doesn’t suit your case for opening up private prooerty well.
If it IS private property – you have ZERO claim to it, no matter how long it’s been used publically. It MAY be that the owners got sick of entitled “neighbors” trouncing their landscaping It’s theirs. They own it, pay taxes and insurance on it. And if someone were to be injured on it? Their liability.
December 7, 2022 at 2:19 pm #1051711
froggy8ParticipantI was curious about this Rant. Upon investigating this property, it has been listed for sale since 11/12/2022. Sale is pending as of 12/5/2022. I have not come across any public ROW or easement except for possible utilities – which is NOT for public ROW as Mark47n stated.
Assuming you will never have access in the future, you all may want to get together/pool your $$ and look into (1)purchasing this property OR (2)obtaining an easement with your new neighbors.
I do not frequent this area and am not affected by the loss of this “convenient” path (though I did use it a couple times years ago when I would take long walks). As a property owner, you are liable for anything that happens on your property. If someone gets hurt, or if this path becomes a neighborhood nuisance, you are liable.
Hopefully, all of you will be welcoming/”more neighborly” to your new neighbors and, as Kskjal puts it – “less assholeish”. -
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