With only three days left on the state’s lease, the agency unanimously voted to condemn almost 5,000 acres in Freestone County in an effort to keep the park open to the public after developers purchased the property to build a gated community.
State Park Police Officer Kyle Ware makes the rounds at Fairfield Lake State Park in Fairfield in February. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune
Because the property serves a public purpose as a park, eminent domain experts say Texas can seize the private land, even if the developer doesn’t want to sell. Real estate developer Shawn Todd and his family firm, Todd Interests, purchased all 5,000 acres with the intention of turning the property into an exclusive gated community, which would include multimillion-dollar homes and a private golf course.
Last month TPWD commissioners gave the agency’s executive director the freedom to take "all necessary steps" to acquire the park. While all of those who spoke on Saturday were in favor of saving the park, many lamented that eminent domain was the vehicle to achieve that end goal.
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department opts for eminent domain to save Fairfield Lake State ParkWith only three days left on the state’s lease, the agency unanimously voted to condemn almost 5,000 acres in Freestone County in an effort to keep the park open to the public after developers purchased the property to build a gated community.
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