posted 14 years ago
You have been given alot of good advice here. Talking to a Lawyer makes alot of sense. Talking to your Insurance Agent and getting a high limit is also a must. In Pa here you can get a $1,000,000 umbrella policy to cover over your Home Owners policy for about $150 if you dont have too many cars or young drivers. Since the dam must stay have it inspected. building an earthen reinforcement in front might be cheaper than the costly removal. The lake it holds back is beautiful, the privacy if the public land next to you is Great. Work with the kids group, maybe they can make new paths to the state land, as a " Good Neighbor " you might even offer to help them. To have good Neighbors you have to Be a Good Neighbor. Going to them in a non-confrontational way and explaining to them that YOU have a problem and ask them how they can help you with YOUR problem might work. It is amazing how people want to help solve a problem for you, if you tell them that THEY have a problem they will get their backs up and want to fight. The fact that your problem is them doesnt matter. Tell them that you are worried about their kids and don't want them hurt on the dam,and how are WE going to help make that happen. You may find that they don't want the kids hurt either and will work with you. Signs help to limit your liab, but as others have said, if it is a young child they can do no wrong so the signs don't protect you. I would buy the land, it is a great spot, Good Luck.
Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world, Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. Formerly pa_friendly_guy_here