An Iowa family spent decades using 3.53 acres beside Owl Lake Creek as a childhood playground; after a dream discussed for 10 to 15 years, they donated the land and it has now been dedicated as a public park

A piece of land that once held decades of childhood memories for an Iowa family has found a new purpose, becoming a public space where future generations can enjoy nature. The 3.53-acre property, located beside Owl Lake Creek in Lakeside, has been dedicated as Massop Legacy Park following a donation by John and Marlene Massop to Buena Vista County. According to a November 2 report by Storm Lake Radio, also carried by Iowa Media Wire, the dedication brought together members of the Massop family, county officials and local residents to mark the addition to the county’s conservation system. The land lies just south of the Storm Lake Outlet Dam, close to Bel Air Access, where Owl Lake Creek flows out of Storm Lake. What was once part of the Massop family’s personal landscape will now be preserved as a natural area accessible to the wider community.The idea behind the donation had been taking shape for years. Doug Massop had discussed the possibility of turning the property into a public park with his late father, John, around 10 to 15 years ago. His parents had farmed the land, and the family recognised that its location near the creek and lake outlet offered an opportunity to create something that could benefit the community long after their own time there.Over the past four to five years, Doug continued working towards making that vision a reality. He approached city, county and state officials, as well as the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, to explore how the property could be transferred and developed for public use. Buena Vista County Conservation Director Greg Johnson played an important role in bringing the different stakeholders together and helping move the donation forward.

A natural space with room to grow

Rather than immediately transforming the property into a developed recreational destination, the county plans to focus on protecting and improving its existing natural environment. The 3.53 acres contain a combination of wooded sections, grassland and the creek, creating different habitats for local wildlife. Conservation efforts will initially centre on encouraging native prairie vegetation, managing invasive plant species and maintaining water quality along Owl Lake Creek.Some early improvements are already in place. Local Boy Scouts have built nesting boxes for the property, while other habitat features have also been donated. The county is considering opening sections of the existing fence line and creating walking paths that will allow visitors to explore parts of the land.These initial changes are expected to be managed largely through the conservation department’s existing staff and resources. Larger recreational projects, however, remain at an early stage, with no dedicated funding or final development plans currently in place.

A longer-term vision for the area

The family hopes the park could eventually become part of a larger recreational network around Storm Lake. One possibility is a bike trail that would connect different parts of the area and offer residents more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The donation agreement also leaves room for additional infrastructure in the future. If a nearby housing development moves ahead, the possibility of constructing a bridge across the creek and extending walking paths could be explored.For now, the priority remains keeping the property accessible while allowing its natural features to thrive. The intention is to ensure that the land remains a place where wildlife can find suitable habitat and residents can spend time outdoors without extensive development changing its character. Massop Legacy Park also adds to Buena Vista County Conservation’s existing network of public spaces. The department manages 17 areas covering more than 1,200 acres, including parks, wildlife refuges, historic sites and other natural areas.For the Massop family, the dedication marks the completion of an idea that began with conversations between a father and son more than a decade ago. What was once a familiar stretch of land associated with family life and childhood memories will now have a different kind of legacy, offering the wider community a place to connect with nature for years to come.