Court Opinion

ID: 9694852
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 17:57:05.708805+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:05.831373
License: Public Domain

LAWSON, Justice
(dissenting).
I cannot agree with the conclusion reached by the majority to the effect that those who purchased lots in accordance with the plat designated “Stringer Realty Company Resurvey of Edenwood Addition” and whose deeds make reference to the plat do not have an easement in such areas described in the plat as “Private Park.”
The general rule is stated in 28 C.J.S., Easements, § 44, page 708, as follows: “Where land is sold with reference to a map or plat showing a park, beach, or open square, the purchaser acquires an easement that such area shall be used in the manner designated, and an easement over the streets which afford access to such area.”
The majority opinion seems to indicate that if the word “private” had not been used a different question might be- presented. The word “private,” in my opinion, merely indicates that the park was not to be dedicated to the public but was to be used for the benefit and enjoyment of those who purchased lots in the subdivision. It was an inducement for one to purchase such lots, and the grantors should not now be permitted to repudiate the easement or deny that it exists.
In effect the majority opinion says that the words “private park” as used in the plat showed that those who platted the lands were reserving such area for their own private purpose. The answer to that argument is that if the owners had intended to reserve complete dominion and control over such area they could have done so by the simple device of excluding it from the plat.
In Caffey v. Parris, 186 Ga. 303, 197 S.E. 898, 900, the rule is stated as follows: “Where an owner of land sells a part of it in-lots for residential purposes, the sales being made with reference to a plat by which another part of the land is designated as a park, and where the purchasers in buying rely upon the plat, the seller is estopped from asserting a claim adverse to-the right of the purchasers, or their assigns, to have the land so designated restricted to use as a park and to share the use of it as such. East Atlanta Land Co. v. Mower, 138 Ga. 380, 75 S.E. 418. * *”
To like effect see Williamson v. Salmon, 105 Misc. 485, 173 N.Y.S. 617.
I am of the opinion that the decree should be affirmed.
BROWN, J., concurs in this dissent.