Among those advocating for Fairfield Lake State Park last week at the State Capitol in Austin were Freestone County natives, Sandy and Andy Emmons, shown holding a sign encouraging Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman Arch Aplin III to “do the right thing.”
They were joined by Texas State Representative Erin Zwiener (far left) and Corrine Wilder (far right) who grew up at Fairfield Lake State Park when her father served as Park Superintendent from 1986-2001.
The effort was organized by the advocacy group, Environment Texas.
According to the group’s Executive Director Luke Metzger (fourth from the left, standing next to Sandy Emmons), the legislature still has options for saving the state park, including:
–Pass HB 2332 (filed by State Rep. Angelia Orr) that would give the State eminent domain authority to acquire the state park land,
–Reject future water permits that would send water from Fairfield Lake to the metroplex, and
–Stop new road construction on the property which has been earmarked by Todd Interests for a private gated community.
After more than 50 years of public use and outdoor recreation by Texas families, Fairfield Lake State Park permanently close to the public on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 after Vistra ended its lease with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department pending sale of the property to Todd Interests, a development company out of Dallas.
The ‘Save Fairfield Lake State Park’ group shared a video on social media asking that Vistra and Todd Interests work with the State and TPWD to save the state park for the enjoyment of future generations.
(Photo by Michael Lewis)
