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Cars on the lawn

8K views 38 replies 19 participants last post by  Jeff_MI84  
#1 ·
Does anybody else get reasonably annoyed/ upset when people drive on your lawn?
 
#2 ·
@Jeff_MI84 I definitely do but have realized that living on a corner in a construction zone, it will happen occasionally. Most people are so careful and it only takes one person to either not care or fail to pay attention and heave things up. Really makes me appreciate the guy doing a 25-point turn with big equipment just to stay 100% off the lawn.

If I like the people, I tend to care a lot less too, they usually feel bad about it already. But if it's the excavating company that has cut our marked cable line 3x and unseemingly make life harder for everyone in the neighborhood every day, I'll probably have a word with them.

What about you?
 
#5 ·
Long story short, six years three different neighbors have lived to my right. It gets tiring to go and talk to people and/ or attempting to level and reseed when weather permits. I see the first time or two as a mistake, followed by politely requesting to be more careful. Anytime after that, well I usually go out with my rake, quietly cussing while attempting to rake the grass proper and putting my vindictive 6' reflective pole in place of the more neighborly 3' pole.

Seeing as how this forum is full of people who take pride in their lawns, what have you done to cease such activity? Obviously different cities/ states have different rules about fencing, borders and whatnot, I could use some suggestions, aside from talking to people about it.
 
#6 ·
I did a reno this year. The neighbors watched with awe as I killed my yard, levelled with 20+ yds of topsoil by hand, put up caution tape for 2 months, set up 10 sprinklers on timers, used a backpack sprayer almost twice a week, and mowed it like a golf course. They are all deathly afraid of me now. They won't go anywhere near the lawn.

Many people don't care much about grass and assume you feel the same way. But if you can convince them how much you care even only through your actions, they will likely respect that.

Even in the case of guests, I feel like my neighbors know I'm so anal about my lawn, they would go out of their way to warn their guests.

Now as for careless construction workers or delivery people, not much you can do aside from fencing or caution tape.
 
#8 ·
Jeff_MI84 said:
Long story short, six years three different neighbors have lived to my right. It gets tiring to go and talk to people and/ or attempting to level and reseed when weather permits. I see the first time or two as a mistake, followed by politely requesting to be more careful. Anytime after that, well I usually go out with my rake, quietly cussing while attempting to rake the grass proper and putting my vindictive 6' reflective pole in place of the more neighborly 3' pole.

Seeing as how this forum is full of people who take pride in their lawns, what have you done to cease such activity? Obviously different cities/ states have different rules about fencing, borders and whatnot, I could use some suggestions, aside from talking to people about it.
Is it possible to get rid of the grass along that area and install hardscape, like a decorative border, as wide as necessary to catch the wheel marks? Even if it has to be 6-7 feet wide and the entire width of your neighbor's driveway, might be worthwhile to get rid of the grass and construct a mini hardscape area and use it as a border if this is a continual issue. You'd have to do it in such a way that it's clearly viewed as part of your property, though. Otherwise, your neighbor's guests might use it as a parking area. Maybe incorporate a sidewalk leading to your driveway. This would possibly also eliminate mail carriere or delivery people walking the lawn in Winter, if you shovel/snowblow the area. There is probably a way to construct it so it looks good and not out of place. This is where either a landscape designer or a lot of design work on your part comes in. Maybe with some plantings near it. Could be a fun diy project if you have the time...you'd get to rent a compactor, etc. Of course if you have irrigation, it'll be a bigger project/more pain in the neck to dig up the sprinklet heads in that area and modify the system.

Just an idea.
 
#9 ·
My neighbours are generally good and know I'm a fanatic so respect my little pieces of grass, but the issue I had was with some delivery drivers who think it is a time saver to reverse into my driveway rather than park outside and walk 10s. So I've put up bollards.

Simple pine fencing posts, metal tube at the base and pushed into the ground. 3 coats of stain/UV protection.

 
#10 ·
Green said:
Jeff_MI84 said:
Long story short, six years three different neighbors have lived to my right. It gets tiring to go and talk to people and/ or attempting to level and reseed when weather permits. I see the first time or two as a mistake, followed by politely requesting to be more careful. Anytime after that, well I usually go out with my rake, quietly cussing while attempting to rake the grass proper and putting my vindictive 6' reflective pole in place of the more neighborly 3' pole.

Seeing as how this forum is full of people who take pride in their lawns, what have you done to cease such activity? Obviously different cities/ states have different rules about fencing, borders and whatnot, I could use some suggestions, aside from talking to people about it.
Is it possible to get rid of the grass along that area and install hardscape, like a decorative border, as wide as necessary to catch the wheel marks? Even if it has to be 6-7 feet wide and the entire width of your neighbor's driveway, might be worthwhile to get rid of the grass and construct a mini hardscape area and use it as a border if this is a continual issue. You'd have to do it in such a way that it's clearly viewed as part of your property, though. Otherwise, your neighbor's guests might use it as a parking area. Maybe incorporate a sidewalk leading to your driveway. This would possibly also eliminate mail carriere or delivery people walking the lawn in Winter, if you shovel/snowblow the area. There is probably a way to construct it so it looks good and not out of place. This is where either a landscape designer or a lot of design work on your part comes in. Maybe with some plantings near it. Could be a fun diy project if you have the time...you'd get to rent a compactor, etc. Of course if you have irrigation, it'll be a bigger project/more pain in the neck to dig up the sprinklet heads in that area and modify the system.

Just an idea.
I'm trying to picture in my mind what you mean. When it comes to mail carriers, my mailman is super respectful. He sees me out there working on it and goes out of his way to avoid walking on it. Not current, but this picture is the type of annoyances I've had to deal with.

 
#11 ·
Can you place 2-3 large boulders on the corner?

My mailman is super respective too, when I'm outside. When I'm not outside then he dgaf - he used to walk on the mulch bed next to the house to save one (1) step (legitimately, one step). I had to ask him to stop doing that because he stepped on a couple flowers and crushed them.
 
#12 ·
Jeff_MI84 said:
Green said:
Jeff_MI84 said:
Long story short, six years three different neighbors have lived to my right. It gets tiring to go and talk to people and/ or attempting to level and reseed when weather permits. I see the first time or two as a mistake, followed by politely requesting to be more careful. Anytime after that, well I usually go out with my rake, quietly cussing while attempting to rake the grass proper and putting my vindictive 6' reflective pole in place of the more neighborly 3' pole.

Seeing as how this forum is full of people who take pride in their lawns, what have you done to cease such activity? Obviously different cities/ states have different rules about fencing, borders and whatnot, I could use some suggestions, aside from talking to people about it.
Is it possible to get rid of the grass along that area and install hardscape, like a decorative border, as wide as necessary to catch the wheel marks? Even if it has to be 6-7 feet wide and the entire width of your neighbor's driveway, might be worthwhile to get rid of the grass and construct a mini hardscape area and use it as a border if this is a continual issue. You'd have to do it in such a way that it's clearly viewed as part of your property, though. Otherwise, your neighbor's guests might use it as a parking area. Maybe incorporate a sidewalk leading to your driveway. This would possibly also eliminate mail carriere or delivery people walking the lawn in Winter, if you shovel/snowblow the area. There is probably a way to construct it so it looks good and not out of place. This is where either a landscape designer or a lot of design work on your part comes in. Maybe with some plantings near it. Could be a fun diy project if you have the time...you'd get to rent a compactor, etc. Of course if you have irrigation, it'll be a bigger project/more pain in the neck to dig up the sprinklet heads in that area and modify the system.

Just an idea.
I'm trying to picture in my mind what you mean. When it comes to mail carriers, my mailman is super respectful. He sees me out there working on it and goes out of his way to avoid walking on it. Not current, but this picture is the type of annoyances I've had to deal with.

So they run over the poles?
 
#13 ·
pennstater2005 said:
Jeff_MI84 said:
Green said:
Is it possible to get rid of the grass along that area and install hardscape, like a decorative border, as wide as necessary to catch the wheel marks? Even if it has to be 6-7 feet wide and the entire width of your neighbor's driveway, might be worthwhile to get rid of the grass and construct a mini hardscape area and use it as a border if this is a continual issue. You'd have to do it in such a way that it's clearly viewed as part of your property, though. Otherwise, your neighbor's guests might use it as a parking area. Maybe incorporate a sidewalk leading to your driveway. This would possibly also eliminate mail carriere or delivery people walking the lawn in Winter, if you shovel/snowblow the area. There is probably a way to construct it so it looks good and not out of place. This is where either a landscape designer or a lot of design work on your part comes in. Maybe with some plantings near it. Could be a fun diy project if you have the time...you'd get to rent a compactor, etc. Of course if you have irrigation, it'll be a bigger project/more pain in the neck to dig up the sprinklet heads in that area and modify the system.

Just an idea.
I'm trying to picture in my mind what you mean. When it comes to mail carriers, my mailman is super respectful. He sees me out there working on it and goes out of his way to avoid walking on it. Not current, but this picture is the type of annoyances I've had to deal with.

So they run over the poles?
My last neighbor did. That or she'd pull them out and throw the poles to the ground. My newer neighbors don't park/ drive on it, but their guests don't appear to care if they do or not.
 
#14 ·
RCUK said:
My neighbours are generally good and know I'm a fanatic so respect my little pieces of grass, but the issue I had was with some delivery drivers who think it is a time saver to reverse into my driveway rather than park outside and walk 10s. So I've put up bollards.

Simple pine fencing posts, metal tube at the base and pushed into the ground. 3 coats of stain/UV protection.
That reminds me of virtually every base I was stationed at. Perhaps I could procure an angry old Sergeant Major to yell at people lol.

 
#17 ·
Jeff_MI84 said:
pennstater2005 said:
Jeff_MI84 said:
I'm trying to picture in my mind what you mean. When it comes to mail carriers, my mailman is super respectful. He sees me out there working on it and goes out of his way to avoid walking on it. Not current, but this picture is the type of annoyances I've had to deal with.

So they run over the poles?
My last neighbor did. That or she'd pull them out and throw the poles to the ground. My newer neighbors don't park/ drive on it, but their guests don't appear to care if they do or not.
If people started pulling poles out of my yard I'd lose patience real quick.
 
#18 ·
Since you no longer have the neighbor who pulls out the orange markers, I would go with them or the boulders. Both can be removed, if necessary.

I have a similar issue as @Thejarrod, with self-inflicted damage by my wife's SUV and my brother-in-law's RV. I even had a contractor park next to the RV one February for a short term project (2-3 days). I've learned to prep/mitigate/cope with the situation. Having a spare bag of topsoil and/or mason sand can be helpful (along with a craft beer). Also, I give a little more TLC to the weak/damaged areas on a more regular basis. If I know the area is going to get hit (i.e. camping trip scheduled), I will preemptively fertilize a week before to enhance recovery and hold off water several days before, to ensure a firm surface to reduce rutting. Sometimes all the prep is for naught. A couple of years ago, he came back from an RV trip in a 3" deluge and buried it up to the axles. At least I was at work and only had to deal with the aftermath (it's in my journal if you're really curious). He felt really badly about it and now parks it in the street in that situation to let things dry out (not quite long enough, though during this past October). If you find yourself fixing these issues regularly, I would invest in a levelawn. I bought mine from R&R products. It also came in handy while leveling the base for our paver patio, before setting up the screed for the top layer.
 
#19 ·
pennstater2005 said:
Jeff_MI84 said:
pennstater2005 said:
So they run over the poles?
My last neighbor did. That or she'd pull them out and throw the poles to the ground. My newer neighbors don't park/ drive on it, but their guests don't appear to care if they do or not.
If people started pulling poles out of my yard I'd lose patience real quick.
Trust me, I did. One woman ran over and broke 5 last year. I do not like always getting the city or authorities involved, as I try to be the civil neighbor.
 
#20 ·
Jeff_MI84 said:
pennstater2005 said:
Jeff_MI84 said:
My last neighbor did. That or she'd pull them out and throw the poles to the ground. My newer neighbors don't park/ drive on it, but their guests don't appear to care if they do or not.
If people started pulling poles out of my yard I'd lose patience real quick.
Trust me, I did. One woman ran over and broke 5 last year. I do not like always getting the city or authorities involved, as I try to be the civil neighbor.
Your property line goes right to your neighbor's driveway? That seems odd. Do you have the driveway markers pushed in directly on the side of the driveway? If so, and I was the neighbor, I would be annoyed as well since the driveway looks narrow and they wouldn't be able to open their door without hitting the marker. It's maybe the wrong forum to say this in, but it's only grass, maybe a strip of hardscape is the way to go, or a raised flower bed would also solve the problem and keep things civil with your neighbor.
 
#21 ·
DbShep said:
Jeff_MI84 said:
pennstater2005 said:
If people started pulling poles out of my yard I'd lose patience real quick.
Trust me, I did. One woman ran over and broke 5 last year. I do not like always getting the city or authorities involved, as I try to be the civil neighbor.
Your property line goes right to your neighbor's driveway? That seems odd. Do you have the driveway markers pushed in directly on the side of the driveway? If so, and I was the neighbor, I would be annoyed as well since the driveway looks narrow and they wouldn't be able to open their door without hitting the marker. It's maybe the wrong forum to say this in, but it's only grass, maybe a strip of hardscape is the way to go, or a raised flower bed would also solve the problem and keep things civil with your neighbor.
Yes the property line goes up against their driveway. The poles are about 2" away from the edge, but not high enough to hit mirrors. It's the neighbors themselves that don't park close, as they have another foot or two on the other side that they use (parking far enough away). I know it's only grass, but it's more work I have to do. That's why I'm looking for ideas on how to make the edge more visible so things remain civil. My driveway is the same width and I drive a Ford Ranger, plenty of room when I pull up. Something along the edge that doesn't look tacky, spiteful or out of place.
 
#22 ·
Jeff_MI84 said:
DbShep said:
Jeff_MI84 said:
Trust me, I did. One woman ran over and broke 5 last year. I do not like always getting the city or authorities involved, as I try to be the civil neighbor.
Your property line goes right to your neighbor's driveway? That seems odd. Do you have the driveway markers pushed in directly on the side of the driveway? If so, and I was the neighbor, I would be annoyed as well since the driveway looks narrow and they wouldn't be able to open their door without hitting the marker. It's maybe the wrong forum to say this in, but it's only grass, maybe a strip of hardscape is the way to go, or a raised flower bed would also solve the problem and keep things civil with your neighbor.
Yes the property line goes up against their driveway. The poles are about 2" away from the edge, but not high enough to hit mirrors. It's the neighbors themselves that don't park close, as they have another foot or two on the other side that they use (parking far enough away). I know it's only grass, but it's more work I have to do. That's why I'm looking for ideas on how to make the edge more visible so things remain civil. My driveway is the same width and I drive a Ford Ranger, plenty of room when I pull up. Something along the edge that doesn't look tacky, spiteful or out of place.
Maybe a foot or so wide layer of washed river stone? You could pile it in higher than the level of their driveway and it would discourage them from driving on it. I'm thinking the smooth fist size rocks.
 
#23 ·
That's a weird property line situation. Maybe you can maintain a good relationship with them if you install pavers alongside the driveway. If you discuss it with them and agree on the style, maybe they will contribute towards it, or at least give it a blessing. I've thought about doing this alongside my driveway, for where my wife misses when parking. The other option is another type of hardscape such as pea gravel, white marble chips, stone, etc. You could measure out a width to your liking and put a landscape edge on the lawnside.
 
#24 ·
Chris LI said:
That's a weird property line situation. Maybe you can maintain a good relationship with them if you install pavers alongside the driveway. If you discuss it with them and agree on the style, maybe they will contribute towards it, or at least give it a blessing. I've thought about doing this alongside my driveway, for where my wife misses when parking. The other option is another type of hardscape such as pea gravel, white marble chips, stone, etc. You could measure out a width to your liking and put a landscape edge on the lawnside.
Yes it is weird. Although I'm guessing a long time ago, or before people re-did their driveways there was a small strip of grass that belonged to them. For instance, to the left of my driveway there is about 2.5" of my neighbor's lawn that technically belongs to me but I don't say or do anything about it. Maintaining a good relationship is my main concern, as they've only been here since the summer.
 
#25 ·
Chris LI said:
That's a weird property line situation. Maybe you can maintain a good relationship with them if you install pavers alongside the driveway. If you discuss it with them and agree on the style, maybe they will contribute towards it, or at least give it a blessing. I've thought about doing this alongside my driveway, for where my wife misses when parking. The other option is another type of hardscape such as pea gravel, white marble chips, stone, etc. You could measure out a width to your liking and put a landscape edge on the lawnside.
I like the idea of pavers. It is very rare to see that where I live. If I can get it to blend in with their driveway so it doesn't stand out, but also slightly higher to prevent further issues. I know with 100% certainty that there are no utility easements. Unlike something like a privacy fence, I've never heard about needing a neighbors blessing to do such a project, but it is worthy to look into. Is there a more technical term that I can use to look up ideas?
 
#26 ·
Jeff_MI84 said:
Is there a more technical term that I can use to look up ideas?
Maybe driveway edging? Some pavers are certified for driveway building (psi strength in concrete). Pinterest is a great resource for photos of projects. I did a lot of research for deck designs there and then looked up the town code for the technical details/requirements before we built our deck.