LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Supreme Court is getting ready to hear arguments in a long-running case about access to Oswego Lake.
The Lake Oswego City Council passed a rule in 2012 that blocks access from public parks along the downtown lake.
Right now, it’s illegal for anyone other than people living on the lake to enter the water.
When the ban started, the city claimed it didn’t have life guards to protect the public, and there were concerns about the water quality. Since then, the only people who can use the water are homeowners along the lake with their own private swimming areas.
The number of boats on the lake is also closely controlled.
Plaintiffs Mark Kramer and Todd Prager filed suit, contending that under Oregon law, all navigable waterways are public and must be accessible from public land.
“I can see the perspective of those who live on the lake wanting to maintain their privacy,” Lake Oswego resident Makensey Zenneri said. “But I think it would be great if it was opened up to the public. People could kayak or standup paddleboard and bring the community together a little bit more.”
A Clackamas County judge sided with the city and the Oregon Court of Appeals followed suit. The Supreme Court will hear the case Friday morning at Aloha High School.
The case will have a big impact on the future of public access to waterways all across the state.
KOIN 6 News reporter Wayne Havrelly contributed to this report.