Is a parking lot ever public property?

[BZeto]

So after work today I took my usual skateboard route through a shopping center parking lot. I'm not causing any trouble or disturbance whatsoever, just getting my daily cardio in. Pretty much going in a big circle around the lot with a few flip tricks thrown in every now and then. I avoid the sidewalks near the actual stores and stick just to the blacktop.

10 minutes into it a security guard on his bike pulls up to me. Says I have to leave or he will call the cops. Now keep in mind I don't look or act like some punk 14 year old skater stereotype. So I engage in a little friendly convo about the property and how there are NO signs anywhere in the parking warning against skating (i look for these things). No dice, he says that it's a liability issue because it's a private parking lot and that I could sue if I hurt myself. I wasn't really sure about the accuracy on that so I decided to skate home and call it a day. Before I left I got the name of the grounds management company though.

My question, is it highly likely that I indeed have no rights to skate through this parking lot despite the lack of any signage? I plan on at least contacting the management company and not going off of just what the security guard says. This pretty much blows since there are no other smooth skate spots anywhere near my apartment complex. Do I have any leverage going into this?

 

[Jumpem]

If it is a private lot (which is very likely) they can ask anyone to leave for any reason.

 

[Gunslinger08]

He's right, you're wrong.

 

[Queasy]

No. Parking lots at places like shopping centers are not public property. They are indeed private property.

 

[spidey07]

No. Even on public property you can be kicked off.

 

[bctbct]

No, they dont want you there because if you cause an accident your mom will sue.

 

[Capt Caveman]

It's a private parking lot. They don't need signs against skateboarding.

 

[Soundmanred]

None whatsoever.
Why do you think you should be able to skate there?

 

[sdifox]

err, they bought the land and turned it into a parking lot. It's private. Technically speaking, if you were not going to the mall, you can't even walk through the parking lot as short cut. But they don't have the time to enforce that. Skateboarding will for sure call them down on you though.

 

[0roo0roo]

yup, skateboarders are annoying when in parking lots...frankly drivers have enough to deal with pedestrians without some kinds flying around.

 

[BZeto]

Originally posted by: joshsquall
He's right, you're wrong.

I never actually presented a counter argument to the fellow. I simply pointed out the absence of signs, which we could both agree on.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: spidey07
No. Even on public property you can be kicked off.

Yep. A few parks in my area have skate parks. Skaters can be asked to leave if they start skating in an area of the park other than the skate park.

 

[Wheezer]

it is private property....anytime there is a fender bender in a lot the police cannot do much because it is considered private property and it is usually left for the insurance companies to hammer out.

So yes, they can ask anyone to leave at anytime.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: BZeto

Originally posted by: joshsquall
He's right, you're wrong.

I never actually presented a counter argument to the fellow. I simply pointed out the absence of signs, which we could both agree on.

Do I need a sign in my driveway saying 'No Skateboarding'? No.

 

[QED]

You sound like a nice guy and all-- but what in the world makes you think you would have a right to skateboard on someone else's property?

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: BZeto

Originally posted by: joshsquall
He's right, you're wrong.

I never actually presented a counter argument to the fellow. I simply pointed out the absence of signs, which we could both agree on.

Common sense shouldn't need a sign. Sadly it appears that it does.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: BZeto

Originally posted by: joshsquall
He's right, you're wrong.

I never actually presented a counter argument to the fellow. I simply pointed out the absence of signs, which we could both agree on.

I don't need a sign to kick your trespassing ass off my lawn or out of my house. That lot is there for the patrons of the mall, it's not your playground.

 

[mugs]

There are parking lots that are public property, they're usually indicated with a white sign with a large green P. But you probably can't skate there either.

 

[Soundmanred]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: BZeto

Originally posted by: joshsquall
He's right, you're wrong.

I never actually presented a counter argument to the fellow. I simply pointed out the absence of signs, which we could both agree on.

Common sense shouldn't need a sign. Sadly it appears that it does.

I just got a murder charge dropped because they didn't post a "no murdering of any persons" sign.
Disclaimer: The above story is not true.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: BZeto

Originally posted by: joshsquall
He's right, you're wrong.

I never actually presented a counter argument to the fellow. I simply pointed out the absence of signs, which we could both agree on.

Common sense shouldn't need a sign. Sadly it appears that it does.

Heh. Why do you think we warning signs on products like strollers that say, "Warning: Do not fold with child in stroller."

 

[altonb1]

Just skate on the street. SKATE OR DIE....

<shrugs> I'm too old to post that crap above. sheesh.

 

[Epic Fail]

I am free to jack any car in a parking lot if there is no sign against it? Yes!!!

 

[BZeto]

Originally posted by: QED
You sound like a nice guy and all-- but what in the world makes you think you would have a right to skateboard on someone else's property?

That's why I posted here, I never really considered parking lots to be private property. Looks like I was wrong though.

I pretty much consider my skateboard as a means of transportation, similiar to a bicycle. Do you think that security guard would have stopped someone on a bike for riding through the parking lot? I highly doubt it.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Heh. Why do you think we warning signs on products like strollers that say, "Warning: Do not fold with child in stroller."

Or a sign that says "Warning! Do not fold with cat in computer!"

 

[waffleironhead]

Did he say "Dont talk to me like that I'm not your dad" and then try to tackle you and take away your board?