The Shifting Tide of Public and Private Space

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.

1 minute read

August 17, 2009, 1:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur


"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."

Sunday, August 16, 2009 in The Los Angeles Times

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