Opinions wanted on privacy options

The liability as one person mentioned!!!!
Just tell the parents you cant have the kids playing there because of the liability! Tell them you don't want to risk the kids getting hurt or your insurance going through the roof!

Nice kids maybe, but they are not learning respect!!

It is good to teach the kids that they cant just go and do whatever their hearts content!

SunsetSonata, I love your avatar, it's really cute! I didn't catch what it was at first, but then I thought it was really cute.

Just a thought... have you looked into shade tolerant native plants for your area? I have a few wooded spots in my yard that I wanted to turn into a sort of bird sanctuary, with lots of native plants that would tolerate a lot of shade but still grow and maybe even make berries for the birds in winter. I don't know where you live, but try to find out what kind of native plants you might be able to find and plant back there, there might even be some that may form brambles or a sort of fence line of trees, like witch hazels or something. Plant tree seedlings about a foot to 18" apart, witch hazels, viburnum, azaleas/rhododendron. You might check with your state forest service to see if they are selling tree seedlings, a lot of states do and you can get a bundle of seedlings for a cheap price.

If you could plant some tree seedlings, and label them with BIG labels, and then get a whole bunch of bamboo stakes and stick them in the ground in a perimiter around this area, if it's 15x15, you may be able to do that. String some wire or rope or clothesline cord around the whole setup, first row of string a bit above ground level, second at about 2 ft., third at about 4 ft., and hang signs to keep out. That might be a good option, to just make a sort of perimiter where it's obvious that intruders are not welcome.

What I'd do is plan a little backyard landscaping. After I'd cleaned and planted and re-arranged, I'd put up a nice 8' board privacy fence. If anyone asked, I'd just say it was part of the landscaping for that part of my yard.

Voila!

Problems solved...yard looks great, kids are fenced out.

Get ready, the HT resident advisors will soon be telling you to get your gun and kill the little darlings...that's where trespasser threads ALWAYS go on HT.

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"The most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." - Sir Isaac Newton
(A REAL scientist)

Nettles.

It might sound kind of underhanded, but you could always mention to the parents that you've seen a fox around the neighborhood lately. That or a coyote. I've seen both in suburban to urban settings so it isn't unrealistic. Let the parents know that you've seen the animals coming and going, and maybe occasionally hiding in your small piece of woods and that you were worried it might bite the children if it was rabid.

I know it's a scare tactic, but it would definitely make them pay closer attention and keep their children out of that area. It also would be cheap for you and wouldn't sound like you were just trying to get rid of the little ones playing in your yard.

Kayleigh

If you are bound and detrmined not to have them in there just call the parents....at work .After ten calls at work quit calling them and call their boss...itwont takeem long to get the hint.

Sad just so very sad


How about asking the parents to sign a VERY LONG EVERY SCARY contract agreeing not to sue you if something happens to the kids?

I'd have a talk with the parents and explain to them that you can't allow the children to play on your property due to your homeowners insurance. You are the one at risk if one of them is injured, I think it's called an attractive nuisance when you have something on your property that attracts a child's interest and causes them to want to come play there, in this case the attraction is the trees. If the parents still let the kids play there, then the next step would need to be a fence, one strong enough to keep them off your property.

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Since they are young..the next time they come over, go and talk to them and let them know about the "Trolls" and that you have had some trouble with them, make up some details and let the little kids know you wanted THEM to know about them so they wouldn't scared or get hurt.

On second thought, maybe that isn't a good idea....if someone would have told me that when I was that age, I would have hung around till I got to see one

I would have to agree that talking to the kids, nowadays, is not a good idea. I would ask the parents to please keep the kids in their own yards- for liability issues and look into Canadian Hemlock. It is a fast growing privacy hedge plant that grows 1-3 ft a year and is very reasonably priced in the Burgess catalog I just got. The prices are good- 24 plants for $20.95. The catalog says that twelve plants will make a 20-30ft hedge. Or you could look into Siberian Elm- another fast grower that is priced 24 for $19.95. It gets out of hand fairly easily- so I would research and see which one would better suit ya! Best of luck in a difficult situation.

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A bird inthe hand....can sometimes be a mess!

Be VERY wary of Burgess! See the threads on nasty nurseries:
Watch out for these nurseries

and Burgess specifically:
http://homesteadingtoday.com/showthread.php?t=159904

Pony!

We have a similar problem here, exacerbated by rotten little brats antagonizing my dog-just out of reach of her lead. We are building a pallet fence and planting all kinds of climbing flowers on it, with thorns! We are doing the same around our gardens, as well, or we will not have any food to put up this fall due to "it's just one, they'll never miss it" mentalities around here.

My advice-tell the parents that your insurance agent says its your responsibility to let them know that their kids are playing back there due to high liability premiums, etc. Then tell them that you are landscaping back there and the children are walking on your bedding plants. Offer to let them sign an lawsuit waiver for damage to their children in exchange for THEM paying to put up a pretty little fence back there. That ought to get the kids back in their own yards quick enough. Be sure to tell them that you will make the same offer to parents of all the other children as well. After all, broken arms are not cheap these days, and boys will be boys, you know. That should get them thinking.

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Poison ivey ....

Man. I sure formed a different opinion about this group from reading these threads. It disturbs me to think so many people are so concerned about litigation, privacy, and how to keep people (especially little kids) away.
No wonder these kids grow up so dysfunctional. You are talking about little children. Go watch the Sound of Music or something! You guys are a bunch of whining old grouchy neighbors who only care about yourselves. If you dropped dead today would those neighbor kids even shed a tear? Get to know them and learn to love them. They are your neighbors for Christ's sake!
Why has everybody got to have this "ME" attitude?

I think the people here aren't against children, they are against children playing UNSUPERVISED on property where they simply shouldn't be. When I was little, I wasn't allowed to play at will in my neighbor's yard. Yes, unfortunately we do have to worry about litigation in this era. It's everywhere, like it or not. And people are, unfortunately, not always fair, and they do not always act responsibly regarding their children. And if thier kid breaks their arm on your property, well, it's your fault you had those trees and woods that were so tempting to their kids. They're not going to want to pay for it.

Yes, they are the neighbors, and we should all know our neighbors, but that's a two way street. If we get to know our neighbors and get along with them, they should do the same for us, and supervise their children.

Someone asked for advice and advice was offered.

For what it's worth, my grandfather owned about 100 acres off the back off a housing development when I was growing up. He was threatened with lawsuits then for kids getting back in the woods and hurting themselves. It isn't that he didn't like kids, it's that not everyone else in this world is as sane as you'd like them to be.

By the way, I supervised a preschool program, kids are dirty little things and very very good at getting into trouble. I love them but they're nothing like the Sound of Music.

Kayleigh

The "ME" attitude works in two directions. Why should someone give up their privacy on their property because someone else wants it? The age of the 'wanter' doesn't remove the fact that the property belongs to someone else, and everyone should respect that. Respect is the issue. Instead of a 'whining old grouchy neighbor who only cares about himself', I see parents who are neglecting their children. Neglect in supervision, and neglect in teaching them basic respect for other's rights and property.

Little children have parents. And unfortunate as it is, this is the litigation age and a smart person does need to protect himself. Disturbing, as you said and I agree. But that doesn't make it less of a fact in today's world.

If I only had 20 feet or so to fence, I'd put in a couple cattle panels, call them trellises, and plant climbers on them.

Meg

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All life requires death to support itself. The key is to have an abiding respect for the deaths that support you. --- Mark T. Sullivan

I would go out and see what they were finding so interesting. I may even set down and show them how to make mud pies, or do chin-ups, if the trees are large enough. One thing for sure, a half hour with a couple 5 and 6 year olds would put you in a much better frame of mind, and make you feel better for the rest of the day. Go out there and enjoy them. They won't be that way long, and a couple of teenagers will be remembering how their neighbor treated them when they were young. The stage will be set now. How do you want the teens to see you in 8 to 10 years.

If it was me, I would tell the parents that I saw a skunk, rattle snake, coyote, (Whatever fits your climate) and that you are worried that thier kids will get sprayed, rabies, bitten, chewed(whatever). If they are good parents they will keep the kids out of there.
Next spring I would put up a fence or cow pannels and plant vines.

I know how the kids feel. I used to roam the neighborhood and the nearby creeks in our suburb, But if I had gotten hurt, my parents would have never sued! It would have been my fault.

I think I would call the parents and tell them that the kids play in your yard and that if they want to play the parents would have to call and ask for permission and also they should be advised that under no circumstances will you be responsible if something should happen. Also, go get some quail and a little coop and keep them in there and tell the parents you want it quiet for them.
I love kids, but I do not want them on me without my permission. There is a right and there is a wrong. And, these kids do not understand the problem so therefore I would talk with the parents and advise them.