AUSTIN, Texas — Fairfield Lake State Park in Freestone County is set to permanently close at month's end.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department was notified by Vistra, the owner of the site, that the land lease for the park was terminated due to a proposed sale of the property, TPWD said in a news release.
Beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 28, "visitors will no longer have access to Fairfield Lake State Park," and "during this time, park staff will remove equipment and relocate staff members."
The park closing also means "removal of access to the two public boat ramps and a fishing pier on Fairfield Lake, a popular bass fishery."
Texas State Parks has 120 days to vacate the park before it is turned over to the new owner, Todd Interests.
A slew of state officials expressed their thoughts, most disappointed in the decision to sell the land.
“Losing Fairfield Lake State Park would represent a significant step backward in our efforts to expand outdoor recreational opportunities for Texas’ booming population,” said Arch “Beaver” Aplin III, chairman, Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission.
“This loss is especially unfathomable at a time when we are celebrating 100 years of state parks, yet absent any cooperation or interest in working with us from the developer, we have no other options. Rest assured commissioners remain committed to working with Todd Interests to maintain this important public asset and grow outdoor recreation in Texas.”
"I am extremely disheartened that Fairfield Lake State Park can no longer provide the outdoor fun and memories it has created for families in the local community and across Texas for nearly 50 years,” said Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks.
Even the Freestone County Sheriff's Office came out publicly against the park closing, sharing a petition from late January on its Facebook page.
The new owner of the land does not intend to use the property as a state park, but Texas Parks & Wildlife "will continue to work to buy and potentially expand the park."
Last year, more than 80,000 visitors used the park, according to the state.
Park supervisor, Daniel Stauffer, told 25 News on Wednesday that staff and visitors were hoping for lawmakers to come up with a solution.
“This is their state park," Stauffer said. "This park belongs to the people of Texas. It should. So they’re upset. They’re upset they’re not gonna be able to come and fish in their favorite lake, they’re upset that they’re not gonna be able to come and camp on their favorite campground or walk their favorite trail.”
On Wednesday, Vistra told 25 News in part via a statement:
"In 2018, the Big Brown Power Plant, which sits on the remainder of our property and used the reservoir for cooling, ceased operations. At that time, we informed TPWD that we intended to sell the entire property and encouraged them to submit a bid. In 2021, we publicly marketed the property. We entered into a contract in early spring of 2022 with a potential buyer, and we honor our contracts and our commitments. The buyer has the right to purchase the land under the current contract, and we are unable to terminate the contract. We understand TPWD may now have access to some level of funding as a result of a new sales tax funding mechanism. Along with extending the lease, we have extended the closing deadline multiple times at the request of TPWD to keep the options open for TPWD and the potential buyer to discuss alternatives."
