I inherited the only double lot property on the block. When my uncle was alive, he allowed everyone to use his yard as a shortcut. As a result, there was a muddy path worn into the grass between two streets. It was unsightly and contributed to flooding in the basement.

When we moved in, I had a fence installed. No more shortcut for Dick, Jane, and their dog Spot! The neighbors are in an uproar. One woman actually told me that the only reason she bought her house was because the shortcut through our yard meant her kids didn't have to walk in the street to get to the elementary school (behind our house).