Fairfield Lake State Park will temporarily reopen to the public on Tuesday.
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Following its closure last month after being sold to a local developer, Fairfield Lake State Park will temporarily reopen to the public for daytime use only starting on Tuesday. On Feb. 13, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was given 120 days notice to vacate the property located 90 miles southeast of Dallas after it was sold by Vistra Energy to Dallas developer Todd Interests with plans for it to become a gated community with multimillion-dollar homes and a private golf course on the site.
The beloved 50-year-old state park, which officially closed on Feb. 28, will reopen beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday for free day-use visitation on a first-come, first-served basis until the park reaches daily capacity, according to an announcement Monday from TPWD. No overnight stays are available and reservations will not be accepted or required, the announcement read. TPWD did not say how long the public access will last, though the Dallas Morning News noted only about three months remain until the land sale is finalized.
Fairfield Lake State Park will reopen for daytime use only starting on Tuesday, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
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“Since closing the park in February, we have heard an outpouring from Texans who would love to visit their park,” TPWD State Parks Director Rodney Franklin said in a statement. “While we still stand committed to reaching a compromise that would save Fairfield Lake State Park for future use, our team will be working hard to keep this gem as accessible as possible for as long as possible.”
The reopening follows a state House committee meeting last week regarding the park’s future. Two Texas lawmakers have also filed bills to use eminent domain to block the development. “We know that Fairfield Lake State Park is a beloved treasure in a rapidly growing part of the state,” said TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz in a statement. “We were heartened to hear the committee’s support for saving the park and see this as the essence of our mission, managing the natural and cultural resources of Texas for use and enjoyment.”