27 Feb, 2011 Author: Glorianna Davenport
The idea of private property as the right of individuals or firms to purchase, own, control and bequeath land has been an underpinning of our society since the 18th century. Private ownership of land allows the owners to put land to productive use according to their vision of “productive”. Tidmarsh Farms is no exception. While we have chosen to cut back on our cranberry growing activities with the sale of the recent conservation easement, these activities are being replaced with a restoration of Beaver Dam Brook, a Living Observatory for science learning and exploration, and a plant nursery.
Typically owners post large tracts of land to allow non-owners to better understand how the owners feel about trespassers. Our land with "no trespassing", "no hunting", and a “no vehicles beyond this point” signs is no exception. If a person asks and receives permission of the owner to engage in some activity on the land, they are welcome to pursue that activity on our land.
In general, the owners of Tidmarsh Farms support our neighbors in their use of the property for “quiet enjoyment” - but at their own risk. Under the banner of quiet enjoyment, we include such activities as walking, fishing or riding horseback. The owners encourage explicit permission for ice fishing or hunting, and object to the dumping of garbage, building docks or pitching tents and camping on the land.
Throughout our ownership of the farm, by far the most aggravating, unwelcome and destructive trespassers have been those who ride their motorized dirt bikes on the property. If you are a dirt biker, we urge you to pause to think. Your bikes erode the roads, destroy the topsoil of the woods and create a racket. While we understand that you think it is fun, it is not fun for us. Moreover many dirt bikers are arrogant; are unidentifiable in their spider-man outfits, and generally ignore our signal to please stop and talk. It took a front-end loader to stop this chap!
