Helping people protect the local wild and scenic places they care most about.

Cary Property in Hastings Protected Forever

Hastings residents have long loved the Cary property and used it as their own for many years, particularly as a public access to Sweezey's Pond. Robert and Mary Cary always shared it with others. And now they have made it their permanent legacy by protecting their beautiful property forever through SWMLC.

The Carys bought the front portion in 1953, and several years later bought the back piece, the township property now protected by SWMLC. "It was a good place for kids to grow up," said Mary Cary. "We used it for family picnics. Our kids camped and rode their horses there. And the neighborhood kids would come back and swing on the vines."

The land is an impressive mix of rolling, old-growth hardwood forest, where glacial activity is still evident in the moraines, kettle hole wetlands, and kames. Large, continuous stands of mature 200-year-old trees are a rare find in southwest Michigan. This property contains a mature, beech-maple forest with tulip trees that lies within the Thornapple River Watershed. It provides shelter for many varieties of wildlife, from Western chorus frogs and Golden-crowned kinglets to upland game birds and fish. It provides a large, natural buffer from development pressure from the nearby city of Hastings, yet it's been considered the heart of Hastings for decades and one of the most special places around.

As the years went by, the Carys became increasingly concerned about the effects of encroaching development, not only on important wildlife habitat, but also on the health of the community. After Dr. Cary passed away in early 2007, Mrs. Cary decided that this very special natural area should be protected forever with a conservation easement that will remain with the property deed. Although the property remains private, restricting the land with an easement will not preclude Mrs. Cary from opening the land to the public for passive recreation. "We liked the property the way it was...we always wanted people to enjoy it like we did," said Mrs. Cary.

The Hastings community will long remember and appreciate Robert and Mary Cary for their foresight and generosity in sharing their land.

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