This Would Be Very Strange
At least in a modern subdivision plat. While there are always exceptions, a dedication by the land developer to the public for a street/sidewalk etc. vests the municipality with title. The lot line is generally a few feet from the edge of the roadway or just behind the sidewalk, if there is one. This makes sense in that the property owner has none of the typical rights associated with ownership whereas the local government could sell, destroy, rent, exclude others from the property in question (at least in theory). Check your plat/deed/whatever for details. The granting of a ROW or easement does not eliminate other rights of ownership. Prior to Act 35, could you carry concealed under the power line in the utility easement on your lot? Sure. Could you conceal carry in the middle of the street directly in front of your house on the theory that you were on your property? I think not. You own the former but not the latter. I think people confuse the duty to maintain the sidewalk (shovel snow, mow grass on the strip) or pay special assessments (to replace a broken sewer line) with ownership. I certainly could be mistaken and would be glad to hear input from a more knowledgeable person. I didn't raise the issue of ownership but am simply responding to it. The important point (as I understand it) is 'is place X part of "school grounds"?' I merely advance the idea that this question is not answered solely by (a) who maintains place X or (b) who has title to place X, although that information would be useful in making the determination.
You do own the sidewalk. The city does not own the streets or the sidewalks but they are part of the public right-of-way. You have a deed for the land up to the center of the street but it is not your private property.
At least in a modern subdivision plat. While there are always exceptions, a dedication by the land developer to the public for a street/sidewalk etc. vests the municipality with title. The lot line is generally a few feet from the edge of the roadway or just behind the sidewalk, if there is one. This makes sense in that the property owner has none of the typical rights associated with ownership whereas the local government could sell, destroy, rent, exclude others from the property in question (at least in theory). Check your plat/deed/whatever for details. The granting of a ROW or easement does not eliminate other rights of ownership. Prior to Act 35, could you carry concealed under the power line in the utility easement on your lot? Sure. Could you conceal carry in the middle of the street directly in front of your house on the theory that you were on your property? I think not. You own the former but not the latter. I think people confuse the duty to maintain the sidewalk (shovel snow, mow grass on the strip) or pay special assessments (to replace a broken sewer line) with ownership. I certainly could be mistaken and would be glad to hear input from a more knowledgeable person. I didn't raise the issue of ownership but am simply responding to it. The important point (as I understand it) is 'is place X part of "school grounds"?' I merely advance the idea that this question is not answered solely by (a) who maintains place X or (b) who has title to place X, although that information would be useful in making the determination.
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