in 1963, efforts were made to purchase the land to prevent it from being developed. the town opposed re-zoning the site for multi-residential development. the land was sold from alcor inc. to o&g construction co. as a 250-acre parcel in 1966. a total of 198 acres of land was returned to white when o&g construction "were in arrears on their payments and back taxes." in july 1970, the state acquired 198 acres of haley farm from a. c. white for a total of $300,000, with federal funding accounting for $150,000, state funding for $100,000, and the remaining $50,000 coming from the groton open space association, a local organization that completed raising the required funds in early 1970. at the time, the park and forest commission said there were no plans to make it into a park. however, the department of energy and environmental protection recognizes that haley farm was officially made a connecticut state park in july 1970.