How it Affects Property Values

How Public Land Affects Property Values

Public access to parks and shoreline space doesn’t just enhance quality of life—it directly influences home values, neighborhood cohesion, and real estate market appeal. Communities that preserve and maintain public spaces see long-term economic gains for all residents.

📈 Public Spaces Raise Property Values

Benefit: Homes located near accessible parks, beaches, and green space typically have higher market value.
Example: Proximity to the water is a top selling point—but only if that access remains public and available to all.

🏘️ Shared Access Strengthens Neighborhood Appeal

Benefit: Walkable neighborhoods with open, scenic areas are more desirable to homebuyers.
Example: Waterfront parks and easements are listed in real estate ads as selling features. Their removal diminishes the broader appeal of the area.

💸 Privatization Hurts Everyone Else

Problem: When public land is given to one property owner, it may increase the value of their home, but it does so by reducing access, walkability, and scenic value for all other nearby homes. Result: The neighborhood loses shared assets, yet still pays the same property taxes.

🧭 Buyers Expect Access

Observation: Many families choose to buy in Lake Worth Beach based on historic public shoreline access.
Risk: If that access disappears, so does buyer interest—and long-term value.

🛠️ Investment, Not Abandonment

Solution: Maintaining and improving public land signals stability, pride, and good governance.
Benefit: These improvements support both community well-being and the strength of the housing market.

🚫 Public Land is Not a Private Upgrade

Warning: Selling off public space to one resident is not a solution—it’s exploitation.
Impact: It transfers value from the community to a single property, undermining trust and market fairness.

Bottom Line: Public land contributes to the property value of everyone. Once it’s gone, the economic loss is irreversible.

Maintaining public access to the waterfront helps preserve the character, equity, and prosperity of our neighborhoods.