Everyone knows about the public boat ramp at Columbia River Park, but there's another boat ramp - less well known - that's also open to the public. Anyone wishing to use it simply needs to follow Union Street past the intersection with Front Street, then across the railroad tracks and towards the river.
The ramp is a bit unkempt but paved well enough to allow a vehicle and trailer access to the river. According to a representative of the borough's highway department, this lower section of Union Street is public, as is access to the river via the ramp. Potential confusion is created by two PRIVATE PROPERTY signs standing on both sides of the road, several yards past the railroad tracks. The signs, which designate property owners' private tracts may have been strategically placed to discourage traffic on this block of Union - and to the river.
Columbia Spy has also been informed that, under federal law, access to the shoreline is a public right. In other words, you may walk along it, despite property lines, where physically possible. Rivers are subject to federal
navigational servitude, including federal
navigational easement, as explained
HERE and
HERE.
The orange line on the map above shows the lower portion of Union Street, including "below" the railroad tracks, as well as the public access to the boat ramp.
Shown above is the lower section of Union Street leading to the river. PRIVATE PROPERTY signs stand on both sides of the road, shown on the extreme right and left edges of the photo.
Here's a closer look at the sign on the left side.
Shown here are potholes further along on this section of Union Street that were filled by borough workers last week.
Further down Union is this stop sign at an inclined section of road leading to the boat ramp.
The boat ramp is in the foreground here. This photo was taken from the shoreline, facing back up towards Union Street.
Here's a view not everyone gets to enjoy. This photo was taken from the boat ramp.
Last Tuesday, borough workers filled potholes on this section of Union Street.
This small project is a proper use of taxpayer funds, since this section of Union Street is public.
A "side" note: This driveway, which runs perpendicular to Union Street, and leads roughly southeast, is designated PRIVATE. It terminates at the grounds of the Lancaster Water Company, but there is a private cottage at the side of the road (about in the center of this photo). It's unclear at this point who owns the road, and whether it is truly private.
