Do rail trails violate the privacy of neighbors?
This is a common fear before a trail is built, but after a trail is built most neighbors are happy to live near it. A number of studies have sought the reactions of trail neighbors. If desired by the abutter, a fence can be erected. As an alternative to a fence, shrubbery can be planted to provide screening. With other trails, the experience has been that many neighbors who have had fencing installed later remove the fencing because it is unnecessary and blocks their own access to the trail! Several large studies of rail trails have revealed that neighbors become the most frequent users of the trails.
