Judge orders Lake Oswego to open lake to public

Residents of Lake Oswego, a wealthy town in Oregon, are upset after a judge ordered that their “private” lake be opened to the public. This decision ends a lengthy legal battle that lasted over 12 years. Many locals fear that allowing public access will ruin the lake’s peaceful atmosphere. In letters to the town council, some residents expressed their anger. John and Kathy Willis compared access to the lake to living in the Governor's mansion, saying it is not a right just because people are taxpayers. Others worry that the serene lake will turn into a crowded party spot during the summer. The ruling requires the city to remove no trespassing signs and to make the lake accessible within 120 days. Residents previously had limited access based on ownership of lakeside properties. The Lake Oswego Corporation, which controls the lake, had fought to keep it private, arguing that it had been altered and should be classified differently. Todd Prager, who pushed for public access, welcomed the ruling. He encouraged responsible enjoyment of the lake by the public. However, some residents are voicing concerns over safety and property damage, with reports of vandalism against kayakers in the area. Overall, the judgment has sparked a mix of outrage and approval within this upscale community, highlighting their strong feelings about the changes to their exclusive environment.