There is a group of islands near to where I live. These islands have been zealously protected from development and, in comparison to nearby and heavily populated mainland areas, are remarkably unchanged from when I first started visiting, in the 1970s.
Back then they offered a tranquil refuge for hippies, artists and other social misfits. In summer, middle class families from the city ferried across the strait in numbers to tinker about in their modest cabins.
Today, with rocketing property values, the islands have become a playground for the rich and the comfortably retired, who own fabulous dream homes and enjoy what island realtors call a “Mediterranean climate.” This is a significant claim in a large northern country famous for harsh winter weather.
The photo at left shows the entrance to an island property owned by one particularly generous and community-minded family. The property consists of a peninsula, perhaps a mile long and a few hundred metres wide, bounded by trails fronting the ocean on both sides. It is a uniquely beautiful piece of island property and the owners, in a magnificent gesture, welcome people to walk the trails. The sign at the 
always-open gateway offers them just a hint of legal protection: “Dangerous trails. If you proceed you do so at your own risk.”
This is an outstanding example of civic generosity. By way of contrast, there are several small, privately owned islands in the area plastered with “No Trespassing” signs on every point of beach access. The owners typically don’t live on these properties. They’re occasional users, and employ caretakers whose responsibilities include chasing would-be picnickers off the beaches.
I have great respect for the owners of the peninsula property with the open door policy for visiting walkers. Clearly they are accepting legal risks by allowing public access to their trails. But on an island the vast majority of visitors are members of the island community, so the risk is small. While the benefit to the community and the good will it expresses are immense.