A public easement is an easement that gives all people (the public) the right to use and enjoy a tract of property such as a street, sidewalk, park, or beach.
In Rhode Island, a public easement is a legal right that allows the public to use certain property for specific purposes, such as walking on a sidewalk, driving on a street, or enjoying a public park or beach. These easements are typically established by the government and are recorded in the land records to ensure that the right of use is preserved for the public. Public easements are necessary for providing access to public resources and for maintaining the functionality of infrastructure. They are protected under state law, and interference with or obstruction of a public easement can result in legal action. The management and regulation of public easements in Rhode Island may involve local ordinances and state statutes that govern the use, maintenance, and preservation of these shared spaces.