Climate & Environment

Massop Family Donates 3.53‑Acre Plot to Become Public Park Near Owl Lake Creek

By TOI World Desk

A 3.53‑acre parcel beside Owl Lake Creek in Lakeside, Iowa, has been dedicated as Massop Legacy Park after a donation by John and Marlene Massop to Buena Vista County. The dedication, reported on November 2 by Storm Lake Radio and Iowa Media Wire, brought together the Massop family, county officials and local residents to celebrate the addition to the county’s conservation system. The land lies just south of the Storm Lake Outlet Dam, near Bel Air Access where Owl Lake Creek flows out of Storm Lake. The property, once part of the Massop family’s farm, will now be preserved as a natural area open to the public.

Doug Massop had discussed turning the property into a public park with his late father, John, about 10 to 15 years ago. Over the past four to five years, Doug worked with city, county and state officials, including the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, to explore transferring and developing the land for public use. Buena Vista County Conservation Director Greg Johnson helped coordinate stakeholders and advance the donation.

The county plans to focus on protecting and improving the existing natural environment rather than immediately developing recreational facilities. The parcel contains wooded areas, grassland and the creek, providing habitats for local wildlife. Conservation efforts will prioritize native prairie vegetation, invasive species management and water quality along Owl Lake Creek. Some improvements are already underway: local Boy Scouts have installed nesting boxes, and other habitat features have been donated. The county is considering opening sections of the existing fence line and creating walking paths to allow visitors to explore the land. These initial changes will be managed largely by the conservation department’s existing staff and resources. Larger recreational projects remain in early stages, with no dedicated funding or final development plans yet.

The family envisions the park eventually becoming part of a larger recreational network around Storm Lake, possibly including a bike trail that connects different areas. The donation agreement allows for future infrastructure, such as a bridge across the creek and extended walking paths, if nearby housing development proceeds. For now, the priority is to keep the property accessible while allowing its natural features to thrive.

Massop Legacy Park adds to Buena Vista County Conservation’s network of 17 public spaces covering more than 1,200 acres, including parks, wildlife refuges, historic sites and other natural areas. For the Massop family, the dedication marks the fulfillment of an idea that began with conversations between father and son more than a decade ago. The land, once a familiar stretch associated with family life and childhood memories, now offers the wider community a place to connect with nature for years to come.