Am I allowed to run on a local public high school track with an open gate?

As far as I'm concerned, you are allowed to do that. Unless there are signs that say otherwise, it's an open track. Besides, your tax dollars probably went to that track in one way or another. Or at least towards the school.

I would use it until you are asked not to use it.

I would run on it. I was in my home town and decided to do a track workout. School was in session but the track was empty. On about my 3rd 400, 30 highschool​s come pouring out. I was waiting for the teacher to tell me to leave. He eventually asked me what I was training for and went back to teaching

The worst that will happen is someone will come ask you to leave. Even if the cops showed up, they wouldn't cite you for trespassing, they'd ask you to leave. Even that is highly unlikely

Pretty sure you can only use public tracks if you're waddling around the inside lanes.

The only way to know for certain is to call the school district and ask what their policy is on recreational areas being open to the public. In probably the majority of school districts, tracks, fields, tennis courts, play grounds, etc. are considered open to the public outside of school hours if they are not locked up or have trespassing signs posted. At the high school down the street from my house, they put in a new track thanks in large part to a big fund raising effort from the community. The school district then proceeded to fence it off and lock it up. They did not want the track to get worn out by the public using it after school hours. After the community reminded the administrators who helped pay for it, the policy was reversed. But the school district then went around and designated each area of a school that would be open to the public after hours and which would not. So, now there are signs at all the recreational areas that clearly state whether the area is open to the public after school hours.

I think you guys are right that I should use the track until someone tells me to get off, which would probably not happen because I once saw a family on one of their open practice fields.

Thanks for the timely responses!

Tricky issue

First just because it is on a government school property does not mean it is open to the public just like the chemistry lab is not open to the public (even if you bring your own chemicals).

Second, the best thing to do is to ask school officials about it.

Third, most people would use it until asked not to do so, but I think proper etiquette is not to run on the inner 2 or 3 lanes. Yes, if you are the only other person using it the wear would be negligible, but if dozens do every day then it becomes an issue.

Gravy wrote:

Pretty sure you can only use public tracks if you're waddling around the inside lanes.

You must also go clockwise to make sure you're using all the muscles on the outside of your body.

It depends on the track. Like others have said, I would just run and use good manners (stay off when team is practicing, don't do stupid stuff like have your kid ride his bike with you around the track, etc.) and nobody will probably care.

However, some HS worry about "liability" and bar the public. Or a track will get too popular with the public and some busybody complains.

As for the taxpayer argument, I would just point out that your tax dollars also paid for the local cop cars, but you don't get to borrow one when your car is in the shop.

My area has 2 local tracks, a HS and a Middle school. For some reason the HS is usually locked and they do not like people out there. I have been told by the XC coach that I am welcome to it though (I've climbed the fence a time or 2).

Thankfully the MS track is a half mile away and the gate is always open. On Saturday mornings it looks like a park with multiple runners doing workouts and walkers doing laps.

You have every right to run on a public track. If they lock the gates after hours and you want to run or take your family to run, you should file a complaint. There is no reason the public should not be able to access a public track, that makes absolutely no sense. If the gates are locked that means the school likely decided to do that not the county or state. People can’t steal track and bleachers I’m not sure why they would do something like that .

Bigrobkerr wrote:

You have every right to run on a public track. If they lock the gates after hours and you want to run or take your family to run, you should file a complaint. There is no reason the public should not be able to access a public track, that makes absolutely no sense. If the gates are locked that means the school likely decided to do that not the county or state. People can’t steal track and bleachers I’m not sure why they would do something like that .

You should have every right to run on a public school track but the reality is we don't! This is especially true if the track is part of a football stadium with bleachers and is gated. I live near the HS I actually graduated from 40 yrs ago. Same track and football stadium with bleacher/press box upgrades and a bigger more secure fence around the track. Signs posted prohibiting the use of the track and trespassers will be prosecuted. No other ungated tracks within this school district.

Several years ago I called the AD of the HS and asked if I could use the track on weekends particularly on Sunday when it wouldn't interfere with any school activities. I was basically told to pound sand and that because it was a secured gated facility there's no way I could use it. I got a little pissed and told the AD that I pay school taxes and all that. He just laughed and said it doesn't matter stating that "taxpayers just can't waltz into the school and shoot baskets because the school has a basketball court." He impressed on me that a secured facility means no public use. Still pissed off he said I could take it up at the next school board meeting.

So, instead of going to a school board meeting I was actually able to speak with one of the school board members over the phone. He was a little more diplomatic stating that if they allowed me to use the track the district would be obligated to let everyone else use it. They said this could run into security issues and the potential of the facility being damaged and so forth. He also mentioned liability issues if I were to get hurt while using the track. I wasn't happy with the answers and his lack of motivation to work something out. Again, I impressed on him that I'm a taxpayer with half of my county property tax going to school district. He said sorry and that's about it.

So, it seems you can't fight the school district much like you can't fight city hall (as the saying goes). It's funny that every few years or so this particular school district whines & cries for voters to approve tax increases/bond issues for more school revenue. And they would expect me to graciously vote for these increases but yet I can't even use their outdoor track on weekends when it doesn't interfere with school activities. Go figure!

If you pay your taxes, you have the right to use it.

obamaphone wrote:

If you pay your taxes, you have the right to use it.

Really? Do you have the right to walk into the school any time of day and use the library? Or even walk in and take a pit stop in the school's bathrooms during that training run around the track? Do you have the right to walk into the police station, grab a weapon, and ride along with an officer?

Reality is you don't have any free rights at all to the stuff your tax dollars fund. You receive limited services and privileges, and you're compelled to pay taxes by threat of incarceration. You're not really buying anything with those funds. Sorry to burst your bubble.

As for running on a track, don't ask. Just do it. You don't have the right, but it doesn't matter; 99 times out of 100 no one cares.

I would use it, unless there are signs explicitly forbidding it. I use our middle school track, under similar circumstances all the time. Still be respectful, protective and don’t damage the valuable resource.

not at all.... wrote:

obamaphone wrote:

If you pay your taxes, you have the right to use it.

Really? Do you have the right to walk into the school any time of day and use the library? Or even walk in and take a pit stop in the school's bathrooms during that training run around the track? Do you have the right to walk into the police station, grab a weapon, and ride along with an officer?

Reality is you don't have any free rights at all to the stuff your tax dollars fund. You receive limited services and privileges, and you're compelled to pay taxes by threat of incarceration. You're not really buying anything with those funds. Sorry to burst your bubble.

0/10 ?

CaptainTuttle262 wrote:

I would use it, unless there are signs explicitly forbidding it. I use our middle school track, under similar circumstances all the time. Still be respectful, protective and don’t damage the valuable resource.

You're not worried that a school resource officer might pop by and ticket you for trespassing? ?

Only a matter of time before our new and expensive public school track will be closed to the public. A mouth breather lets her kids ride a bike and roller blade along side her as she power walks.

Despite multiple signs and getting a verbal warning for maintence person tending to the field, she continues to let her kids do it.

open gate wrote:

However, some HS worry about "liability" and bar the public.

About 10 or so years ago, we had a guy in his 20s who would show up to the track pretty regularly. One day, during summer practice, he asked to try out the pole vault (!)

Liability be damned, the assistant coach said OK and trained him like any other member of the team. Once school started, they put away the pole vault bars but left the landing mat uncovered on certain days so he could practice.

He later showed up at some of their all-comers meets and became a minor celebrity. He stuck with it for about 3 years and ended up with a somewhat decent PR in the 11'-12' range.