Any lands acquired, owned, controlled, or occupied by such cities, towns, and/or counties, for the purposes enumerated in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4, shall and are hereby declared to be acquired, owned, controlled and occupied for a public purpose, and such cities, towns and/or counties shall have the right to acquire property for such purpose or purposes under the power of eminent domain as and for a public purpose. (1929, c. 87, s. 5.)