Fairfield Lake State Park

Fairfield Lake State Park
Location Freestone County, Texas
Nearest city Fairfield, Texas
Coordinates 31°46′52″N 96°04′14″W / 31.7810007°N 96.0705232°W / 31.7810007; -96.0705232Coordinates: 31°46′52″N 96°04′14″W / 31.7810007°N 96.0705232°W / 31.7810007; -96.0705232[1]
Area 1,460 acres (591 ha)
Created 1976
Operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Fairfield Lake State Park is a state park located in Freestone County, Texas, northeast of Fairfield, Texas on the shores of Fairfield Lake. The park is 1,460 acres (591 ha).

History

The park was acquired in 1954 by a Department of Army lease, which extended it until 2004. Texas Power and Light Company (now known as Luminant), constructed a dam at Big Brown Creek to impound water as a cooling source for the nearby Big Brown Power Plant. The dam was completed in 1969.[2] The park was opened to the public in 1976.[3]

In the early 1830s, the area was important to Anglo settlers, particularly as a route to Texas and the American southwest. It was also an area of cattle trails.

Recreation

The park offers nature programs throughout the year. The park has facilities for picnicking, nature study, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, wildlife observation, ATV use, and camping. Facilities at the park are picnic sites, playground areas, campsites, screened shelters, recreation hall, a campground pavilion, boat dock, an amphitheater, a lighted fishing pier, an ATV/mini bike area of 10 acres (40,000 m2), and 4.5 miles (7.2 km) of hike and bike trails.

Plant and animal life

Several varieties of wildflowers grow in the park. A wide variety of trees grow in the park including oak, ash, elm, cedar, dogwood, cottonwood, soapberry, locust, redbud, persimmon, and bois d'arc. Mammals at the park include armadillo, bat, beaver, coyote, deer, fox, mink, nutria, opossum, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, and squirrel. Wintering bald eagles, pelicans, loons, and other waterfowl may be observed in the area. Lake fishing offers a variety of bass, sunfish, and catfish.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fairfield Lake State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. ↑ "Fairfield Lake (Trinity River Basin)". Texas Water Development Board. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Fairfield Lake State Park History". Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Retrieved February 14, 2018.


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