Park ramps close, development may face legal action

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Fairfield Lake State Park closed again June 4, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission set a special meeting for June 10 to consider acquiring through condemnation (eminent domain) the 5,000acre property in Freestone County that includes Fairfield Lake and Fairfield Lake State Park — property the department never owned, but leased for more than 50 years.

TPWD posted notice of the meeting following the sale of the property by Vistra Corp. to Dallas-based Todd Interests.

Todd Interests declined to comment on the meeting. The investment group previously announced it has solidified plans for a $1 billion development known as the Freestone Club, an exclusive golf course community and resort. The Freestone

Club will consist of roughly 400 homes priced between $5 million and $7 million, and the first phase of development will include 200 homesites. Todd Interests is collaborating with various custom homebuilders for the project, with lots starting at a minimum of 1 acre to “preserve Freestone’s raw beauty.”

The state park had been open for day use-only while TPWD negotiated with Todd Interests, which purchased the property from Vistra Corp. TPWD extended a formal offer of $25 million as incentive for Todd Interests to relinquish its contract, which would have allowed TPWD to purchase the park from Vistra. Todd Interests rejected that offer.

Beginning June 5, park staff began to remove equipment and relocate staff members.