The concept of private property does rankle some.

Spread the wealth, baby.

Maybe have the State condemn the Lake Shore for public access and benefit. A 10 foot easement for a public path? And public access to all those private ski boats. It's all good... for the public good.

I've lived here 15 years now and I still remember my reaction upon hearing that it was a 'private' lake in the middle of the city. I still feel the same way now. I think it's ridiculous.

Is the whole lake private, or just the shoreline and land access?

How about just opening some fire hydrants in LO instead?

I live in LO and it is ridiculous- if I remember correctly someone once owned the entire lake and gave it to the Lake Corporation and she put that covenant on it. Not sure if it could be changed.
The water really isn't fit to swim in most of the time...ick....

When I was new to Portland in 1974 a buddy and I dropped a rubber raft into the Lake and we were booted out pronto by Clackamas County river patrol, who made a point of saying they were moonlighting on their own time.

I don't understand why it's private. Isn't that Tualatin River water on its way to the Willamette? No matter..it's not exactly pristine..

I have lived in LO for over 35 years and have never lusted after lake privileges. Over the years the lake has become more boisterous and crazy - more powerful and bigger boats, more money and display of wealth. On most nice days, it is not a pleasant place to be - too noisy and ostentatious. If opened to the public, it would only be worse. Plus, the lak would be easily overwhelmed by more bodies and watercraft. Is this the populist way of saying, if I can't have it, then you shouldn't enjoy it either. Pretty petty.

I have had enough of the bring-down-the-rich attitude that seems to be so popular these days. Sounds like Jack has his fair share of jaunts hither and yon - just not on Lake Oswego. Heck, I am jealous of his vacations, but you don't see me whining about it. Maybe this makes him and others nuts - that some people have things that they don't have. Even if I had the money, living and playing on the lake would not be on my list of things to spend my time and money on. The green-eyed monster is getting the better of everyone lately - and its not pretty. Where IS all that jealousy coming from?

I grew up in Lake Oswego, but unfortunately in a neighborhood that had no lake access. Summers were spent conspiring to meet up with friends and family who did have lake access.

I'd support a public swim park open to all families in Lake Oswego - and their guests.

Truly public would be even better, but I suspect demand would instantly outstrip the park's ability to serve guests.

(Funny story: I do remember a camper van pulling over one time and asking me where the lake was - after all, anywhere there's a lake, there's sure to be a campground. Sorry, folks. Not that kind of lake.)

The antidote to jealousy is to spread the wealth around so everybody is equal. Isn't that what the US Constitution is all about?

Viva la Freedom and Equality.

Harry: Spreading the wealth around (by the government) is called communism. The REAL antidote to jealousy is effort. It also includes some luck and making decisions that favor wealth accumulation. If you are against accumulating wealth, then I have a place you can send your excess cash and savings. No need to worry yourself over having too much now.

One thing is certain.
The BlueOregon crowd is best suited to craft new lake usage rules.

Their dedication to democracy, fairness &
the public's interest would provide Lake Oswego with the proper regulations.

Of course there would not be any public voting.

That could muck up their superior plans.

This is how they roll.

Light Rail, Stretcars, Urban Renewal, higher densities imposed on every neighborhood with massive debt to be paid by the non-voting voters.

This is a pretty good explanation

http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=mpg&mpid=56&load=6097

You can access a short stretch of the lake shore via George Rogers Park. At least I used to take dogs and kids down to that mini beach. Access is not obvious. I guess it depends upon how you define "use."

If "use" means being able to launch a boat and then land anywhere on the shore of the lake you please, that is a no-no. It would be interesting to know whether (or if) shore rights extend into the lake itself and, if so, how far.

Lake O's park areas tend to emphasize river and creek and NOT the lake:
http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/parksrec/sites.htm

I still love to think that before development this used to be called Sucker Lake.

Of course much of big business these days makes their money on robbery and fraud... think Railiban and developer weasels and stadium clowns... but nolo is likely convinced that is capitalism at its best.

Heck no! Capitalism has nothing to do with scamming skunks, corporate welfare or the many public-private iterations of back room deals that steal from taxpayers to give to some fat cat leaches.

Have you never met an honest businessman? There are plenty of good guys out there trying to make a living running their businesses and I deal with them daily. I have no use for the other kind, but then my deals are not rich enough for the real robbers and thieves - for that they need public dough.

Capitalism works, and good businesses do not feed at the public trough. Sure sounds old-fashioned, doesn't it?

Lucs, I think if one had a longer in-person discussion with Nolo you'd find more concurrence than not. Having a few differences shouldn't taint a common shared interest in the rest.

lw - Since much of the time that I post here it is for the sake of arguing (with a few notable exceptions), it would be really had for you to know what I have in common with whom. I will remind of the chestnut about making an ASS out of U and ME when you assume.

Some astounding ignorance displayed here: Kari "I grew up in Lake Oswego" Chisholm says "I'd support a public swim park open to all families in Lake Oswego - and their guests."
Well, guess what Kari, we have one. It's in the Lakewood neighborhood behind the Lakewood center. The city almost shut it down a couple of years ago because it gets so little use. I never took my kids there. The lake is not inviting to swim in!

to NWPortlander -- that stretch of beach in George Rogers Park is the Willamette River, not the lake.

I don't understand this deep desire to have access to this limited body of water which will not support an increase in use. The lake residents pay very high fees to maintain the lake and are working with the city to improve the watershed. I agree with Nolo that this is simply ignorance and jealousy. There are better places to recreate! I don't live on the lake, and could care less about it.