Are Parking Lots at Neighborhood/Community Pools Private Property? (Fairfax: neighborhoods, law)

[ffxdwu]

There is a parking lot at a local community pool. There is a local public park that is adjacent to the pool, just within walking distance. I have permission to remove the invasive vines at the local park.

I parked my car at the parking lot at the local community pool. Walked over to the restoration site and began my work. Once I was finished I began to walk over to my car.

As I was walking towards my car. A poolgoer confronted me.

"Hey, do you need some help", he asked.

I told him "No, I don't need any help."

"What are you doing?!?!", he asked.

I told him, "I'm removing some of the invasive vines that are in the area."

"Okay, I just want you to know this is all private property", he said.

I told him "Oh okay". I got in my car and left.


I was not trying to sneak into the community pool, or do anything nefarious. So this confrontation really took me aback. This is the first I've been confronted about this.

There is another area neighborhood that has a wooded bike trail that is adjacent to a community pool as well. I have permission to remove invasive vines at the wooded bike trail. I'll park my car in the adjacent community pool parking lot. No one bothers me about it.

Is parking my car at a local community pool for a short period of time illegal?

[tgbwc]

The parking lot for the pool probably is private property. Maybe they've had problems with break ins, vandalism or something like that so the person was asking for that reason. Neighbors of the pool might be vigilant if they've had problems with activities in the lot.

It's probably not illegal, but it sounds like the person was respectful in letting you know it is private property. Does the lot have any type of signage?

I'd actually love for someone to remove the invasive vines near ours.

[webster]

It's not necessarily the time, though that can be specified by ordinance, but who owns it and how parking is regulated for it, especially if it's public. Regulation of parking and towing is governing by both state and local law.

Is the community pool, public or private? If it's private, yes, it is illegal in VA. § 46.2-1215 https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/...tion46.2-1215/. The locality may also have ordinances.

If it's a public pool, the locality will have an ordinance which governs its parking. The state law governing this seems to be § 46.2-1220. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/...tion46.2-1220/

Contact the locality for the parking ordinances. Some locality ordinances are difficult to search online.

[luv4horses]

From what you wrote, I suspect he was concerned about you cutting the vines rather than parking in the lot. He may have been thinking you were a do-gooder violating someone else’s property because you assumed you knew what was best.

As you know, there are people who jump right in without permission when occasionally the landowner/community manager has a reason for keeping things a certain way. (In your example maybe the vines were to feed ‘beneficial’ insects or something.)

Next time you might say you are a city volunteer who was given permission to do what you were doing. Parking on private land for whatever reason you did.

[Old Dominionite]

Most “community pools” in northern Virginia are private pool clubs and their parking lots are private property.

Next time park on the street.

[Watchful]

Does the public park not have a parking lot?

[Old Dominionite]

Originally Posted by Watchful

Does the public park not have a parking lot?

Although I don't think ffxdwu should be parking on private property without permission, I'm guessing ffxdwu is contracted by the county to remove invasive plants on county-owned parkland. If it's Fairfax County, for example, the "parkland" could be lengthy strips of undeveloped woods along creeks that lack parking lots, but have access points from adjacent residential neighborhoods with public streets on which ffxdwu could (and should) park.

[Watchful]

Originally Posted by Old Dominionite

Although I don't think ffxdwu should be parking on private property without permission, I'm guessing ffxdwu is contracted by the county to remove invasive plants on county-owned parkland. If it's Fairfax County, for example, the "parkland" could be lengthy strips of undeveloped woods along creeks that lack parking lots, but have access points from adjacent residential neighborhoods with public streets on which ffxdwu could (and should) park.

Thanks - I was missing the picture!!