Saving Fairfield Lake State Park | The Final Stretch
The Current Status
Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) has been pursuing eminent domain of the land which housed Fairfield Lake State Park for 50 years. The developer, Todd Interests, has already demolished most of the state park structures and used dirt from a rare prairie as fill dirt for a road to “save money”.
The last stage in the eminent domain process was for three special commissioners, appointed by a Freestone County district court judge, to hear evidence and determine the current fair market value of the property.
On Wednesday, November 15 they assigned $418 Million, over four times what Todd Interests purchased the property for in June of this year.
The next steps would be for TPWD to go to civil court to appeal the valuation, meanwhile Todd will continue to develop the property. There is also great concern over the water rights, which he has talked about selling.
Hear the Whole Story
On the most recent podcast episode of Stronger Than, I sat down with Misti Little, activist and one of the admins of the Facebook page Save Fairfield Lake State Park, to discuss the whole story of the park, some of the little reported on information and what is left to do to try to save Fairfield Lake State Park.
What You Can Still Do To Help Save Fairfield Lake State Park
1. Email or call Texas Parks and Wildlife to say you support them going through the appeal process: https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/webcomment/ or 512-389-4800
2. Email your or call your state representatives to support TPWD appealing the ED valuation in court: Visit https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home to get contact info for your representatives.
3. Email or call Senator Kolkhorst, who has been a proponent for investigating the EB-5 Visa Program and tell her you are concerned about the water rights and foreign investments into our state's infrastructure: https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=18 or call (512) 463-0118
4. Write a letter to the editor of the following publications about your concerns.
- Fort Worth Star Telegram: https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/submit-letter
- Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2018/12/02/submit-a-letter-to-the-editor
- Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/submit/
- Austin American-Statesman: https://www.statesman.com/story/opinion/2020/12/10/submit-letter-austin-american-statesman/3878545001/
- Freestone County Times: 401 East Commerce, Fairfield, Texas 75840 Phone: 903-389-6397
Christina (Chris) Sizemore
Chris is a Houston Women's Hiking admin, writer, artist, marketing consultant, and podcaster. She loves camping, stand up paddle boarding and exploring Texas State Parks with her family.