Leave it better: farming out fun: historic farm transforms into an interactive educational facility for the community.

Project:

Bonner Heritage Farm, Lake County Forest Preserve District, Illinois

Problem:

Ten years ago, a 153-year-old farm was sold to a homebuilder, but eight of the 319 acres plus the farm's historic buildings were donated to the Lake County Forest Preserve District (LCFPD) for leisure and preservation opportunities.

Solution:

To ensure historic preservation of the site and the utmost in public benefit, the LCFPD embarked on a three-year, multi-million dollar project that has yielded tremendous community support. The design firm sought public input from children, the park district and community representatives on how to transform the property. The result is an educational facility with a series of interactive exhibits that celebrate farm living in an accessible setting. There is also a maze of activities that depict farm life including a vegetable plot, an herb garden resembling the Scottish flag, a grazing station and hay bales. The property also has an interpretative trail that connects to the 35-mile Millennium Trail.

Cost:

Budget was $1.395 million. Project costs were covered by $1 million in bond funds and $395,000 from two separate Illinois Public Museum capital grants.

Lead Time:

Restoration of the buildings began in 2001. The bulk of the work on the site began in May 2003. It opened in fall 2004 and has future plans for renovation and reuse of the interior of the barn buildings.

Partnerships:

Local, regional and county-wide groups including the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service and the newly created 14-member advisory committee representing the community, neighborhood associations and various municipal and private departments.

Community impact:

"Bonner Farm has become an important point of pride and recreation for the community since opening in 2004," says LCFPD President Bonnie Thompson Carter. "The farm buildings, exhibits and other features work well in combination with a neighboring community park, and parents and grandparents regularly bring youngsters to the farm and park for hours of fun and adventure. School field trips are finding out about the county's agricultural past, and an active group of volunteers are caring for the vegetable garden and other plantings. The entire project has really brought history alive in a very family friendly way."