Page 11 - Freestone County News Today

The state is exploring using eminent domain and condemnation to seize ownership of Fairfield Lake State Park after it was unable to negotiate the purchase of the property from a private developer, Todd Interests.

TPWD will use eminent domain to condemn the about 5,000-acre property. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to authorize TPWD to condemn the land at a Saturday special meeting.

The state agency unanimously voted to condemn almost 5,000 acres in Freestone County in an effort to keep the park open to the public.

A Dallas developer recently purchased the parkland and plans to turn it into a luxury gated community.

Texas Parks and Wildlife twice rejected options to buy Fairfield State Park but now wants to take it by eminent domain, a scathing letter from Todd Interests says

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission is seeking to buy the Fairfield State Lake Park after losing its lease after the owner sold it.

The developer who purchased a 5,025-acre property in Freestone County, which also happens to contain a state park, is calling out Texas legislators for the recent condemnation talks that could allow the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to take back control of the hotly contested land.

Fairfield Lake State Park was closed to the public at 10 p.m. Sunday, June 4.

The state is now considering seizing the land to save the park after its purchase offer was rejected by a Dallas developer.

The state is now considering seizing the land to save the park after its purchase offer was rejected by a Dallas developer.