Fairfield Lake State Park seized by Texas using eminent domain.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has voted unanimously to use eminent domain to seize Fairfield Lake State Park, a popular state park south of Dallas, from private developers who planned to turn it into a luxury community with multimillion-dollar homes and a golf course. Environmental advocates, lawmakers, and home and business owners in Freestone County urged commissioners to save the park from development. Dallas-based developer Shawn Todd, who owns the land, has warned that eminent domain would be a costly move for Texas. If the state and Todd cannot reach an agreement, the issue will ultimately be decided in court.