My wife and I love to travel. Whenever possible, we bring our two young boys—Barrett and Brooks—along for the adventure.
The seacoast of Maine is quickly becoming one of our favorite family destinations. It’s a great way to escape the Arkansas summer heat, and one of our favorite spots to visit is a park in York. It's a small, shaded area only four-or-so acres, has a nice breeze, and overlooks the town's beach.
We love it for those reasons, but I am particularly fond of the oasis because it exists today thanks to the vision of one man.
The Hartley Mason Reserve
Hartley Mason was born in New Hampshire in 1844. In 1881, he purchased land in York along with the original six summer homes with the intent to redevelop the area. However, over time, for unknown reasons, his plans never came to fruition. He passed away in 1925.
In his Last Will & Testament, Mason declared that this land should remain a "Pleasure Ground Forever." As a result, the Hartley Mason Reserve was established, ensuring that generations beyond his own could enjoy this small pice. This year marks the 100th anniversary, and the land is still managed by the Hartley Mason Estate Trustees, preserving his vision for public use.
Creating a Legacy
This kind of foresight isn’t rare. In fact, many of the parks and green spaces we cherish today were likely once private lands. One incredible example right here in Northwest Arkansas is Hobbs State Park, which I recently wrote about in NWA Yesterday. Instead of being sold off to investors, the land was offered to the State with a right of first refusal to acquire it for public use.
In simple terms, estate planning can be seen as managing assets and stuff—wills, trusts, financial matters, etc. But it's more than that. Truly, it's about legacy—ensuring that what you value most continues beyond your lifetime.
If you have land, a business, or a vision for your legacy, come talk to us at HootOwl. Thoughtful estate planning ensures that what you build today endures for generations to come.
If you need help getting started with estate planning, we’re here to guide you. Contact us today or visit our website for more resources.
HootOwl Legal is an estate planning firm that provides a holistic and approachable legal experience. We help empower families and individuals with the knowledge of the entire process; what is an estate plan, why you need one and how they can evolve over time.
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