The Shifting Tide of Public and Private Space

Posted by: Tim Halbur

17 August 2009 - 1:00pm

In Malibu, CA, private property extends to the high tide waterline, where public land begins. An unofficial group of "urban rangers" is giving tours and dance performances along that line to explore the absurdity.

"In one sense, the safaris are a practical exercise in hands-on urbanism, L.A. style: The Rangers instruct their participants to stake out spots on public easements -- the patch of sand between the ocean and private property that the public is legally permitted to occupy. Easements can be difficult to discern because they literally shift with the tide -- the official boundary is the mean high-tide line over the last several months."

Full Story: Los Angeles Urban Rangers go on 'safari' in the city

Source: The Los Angeles Times, August 16, 2009