Toys parked on my front lawn

Posted: Thu, May 17 2012, 11:47 pm Post subject: toys parked on my front lawn

I live in a great neighborhood full of kids, my kids have tons of company, its great. Everyone plays outside and has a great time. I always clean up my toys and bring them in at the end of the day, since I want my front area to look neat. But, recently, before I go in for the night, I'd find about 10 different toys like bikes, cozy coupes, scooters, etc. (not mine) scattered across my lawn. what do I do about everyone else's toys? it belongs to various neighbors, their kids leave things lying around so its not like its just 1 person I need to talk to. I seem to be the toy parking lot, no body else has such an abundance/mess in the front.

today I saw a kid left his scooter in my driveway. since he was a few feet away, I told him to take it out since I might run over it. He and his friends were super chutzpadik back.

what can I do? I don't want to have to tell other people's kids what to do, and I don't want to have to ask neighbors to take care of their things and not leave it on my front lawn. is it gezaila if I just put it out for garbage pickup? or have a gemach come around weekly to pick toys up? or is this just life with a neighborhood of little kids, and I should just deal with the mess. any advice?

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 11 2010 Posts: 3170

My lawn used to be full of toys when my kids were little. It didn't really bother me, but the association started coming around and confiscating toys and bikes left outdoors after dark because their insurance gave them problems about covering nighttime accidents from tripping over toys outside.

Why don't you take their toys and park it at the curb? Or in the street? As in "It's not mine. Don't know whose it is, but it doesn't belong on my lawn. Here, it's hefker. Take it." You'd hope that when people see their things in a heap in the street they'd take the hint.

Diamond Member Joined: Nov 29 2010 Posts: 2922

Gold Member Joined: Mar 14 2006 Posts: 1880

I'd put the things in my shed one night, and when the kids come looking for their stuff, tell them their parents need to come get it back. That way the parents know, and the kids will be scared to mess with you again Wink

Diamond Member Joined: Aug 07 2006 Posts: 2556

Do you know the other families? If so, tell the parents directly. "It's great that the kids enjoy playing together all day, but I must ask that they take their toys home at the end of the day."

Diamond Member Joined: Nov 29 2010 Posts: 2922

Diamond Member Joined: Jan 24 2010 Posts: 3407

Posted: Fri, May 18 2012, 3:49 pm Post subject: re: toys parked on my front lawn

what they said. If they don't find it once, they'll learn their lesson. If a parent complains, tell them that you tried to talk to the kids nicely and all you got was chutzpah. It's not your job to be michanech them.

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 17 2008 Posts: 3586