Yokohama Friendship Bell

At one end of Shelter Island you can see the Yokohama Friendship Bell. The bell was presented by the people of Yokohama, Japan in 1958 as part of the celebration formalizing Yokohama and San Diego as sister cities. There is an annual bell ringing every New Year's Eve hosted by the Buddhist Temple of San Diego. I kind of remember a long time ago you used to be able to jump the moat and ring the bell, but now it is gated all around and a sign says "please keep off". Have you ever rung this bell?