I have a few questions regarding public use that I'm hoping some of the more knowledgeable residents can help to educate me on:
What is the legal status of Draper Lake? Is it county property or is it private?
If it is county property, is there a right of way or easement to provide the public with access to the lake (say for launching a kayak, etc.)?
I'm of the understanding that, in Florida, public waters which are surrounded by private property must, by law, have an easement which connects the body of water to a public thoroughfare in order to allow reasonable public access to the waters for the purposes of navigation, commerce, and recreation. Aside from entering Draper lake at the point where it connects to the Gulf, I'm unaware of any other access point.
Basically, if it's public water, I would like to be able to kayak there, but I don't know of any access point other than from the Gulf, or dragging my kayak across private property beach—neither of which seem like reasonable and meaningful access.
What is the legal status of Draper Lake? Is it county property or is it private?
If it is county property, is there a right of way or easement to provide the public with access to the lake (say for launching a kayak, etc.)?
I'm of the understanding that, in Florida, public waters which are surrounded by private property must, by law, have an easement which connects the body of water to a public thoroughfare in order to allow reasonable public access to the waters for the purposes of navigation, commerce, and recreation. Aside from entering Draper lake at the point where it connects to the Gulf, I'm unaware of any other access point.
Basically, if it's public water, I would like to be able to kayak there, but I don't know of any access point other than from the Gulf, or dragging my kayak across private property beach—neither of which seem like reasonable and meaningful access.
