What is an example of an easement?

An easement is a legal right to use another person's property for a specific purpose. The example of a path providing neighborhood access to a pond that cuts through someone's property illustrates this concept effectively. It shows how a group of individuals may have the right to traverse this pathway to access a communal resource (the pond), even though it is on private property. This specific example highlights an easement's characteristic of allowing certain uses of land while still recognizing the property owner's title.

The other options illustrate situations that, while they may involve property use or access, do not clearly represent easements. For instance, the right to build a fence on a neighboring property implies a more intrusive action that typically requires a legal agreement rather than an easement. A shared driveway can be an example of an easement, but without that specific context, it may not definitively represent the legal right alone. Similarly, a pathway for utilities that runs under several properties can also be considered an easement; however, it typically requires a more formal arrangement for installation and access among the involved parties, differentiating it from the seemingly informal path to a pond. Thus, the original choice most clearly illustrates the essence of what an easement is.