It's not your typical party hall. Or classroom. But the new grain bin at Sunset Hill Farm County Park will serve as both when it opens in late Spring.
The structure, which is being built by Chester, Inc., will provide educational space, while doubling as a social gathering space and enhancing the property’s aesthetics.
“This is an agricultural grain bin which will be used as a classroom for visitors here at Sunset Hill. Usually these bins are used to store crops and various other items, but this one will be used for its architectural capabilities. It will be fully outfitted with electricity, lights, HVAC, bathroom facilities and more,” said Rich Shields, Director of Marketing and Business Development for Chester, Inc. “This will give visitors from the community a chance to learn about agricultural roots through architecture.”
When finished, the bin will measure 50 feet across, 21 feet to the peak and 36 feet to the top of the cone. It will more than double available indoor space at the park. Construction began in December and is expected to be completed by late spring.
Walter Lenckos, Superintendent for Porter County Parks and Recreation said the project aims to alleviate the problem of limited physical space at the park.
“This is a way for us to add indoor space for our educational and nature-based programs. One of the current trends is the connection between outdoor education and STEM [Science, Technology, Education, Math] activities. Everything that happens on a traditional farm is STEM-based, from physics to zoology, biology, chemistry, and more. We can interpret the history of farming and that facility through what is now known as STEM education,” Lenkos said. “This is going to be a tremendous step forward for us to be able to deliver those programs and to expand the number of services which we are able to offer to the community.” In addition, the new bathroom facilities will be available 24 hours a day and will also better accessibility for park visitors with limited mobility.
Funding for the project comes from a number of sources, including the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, and other state funding, in addition to a generous donation from the Ethel Horton family, among others. Lenkos said the Horton family was related to the family of Colonel Robert Heffron Murray. With his wife, Sue, Murray began the farm and private residence in 1934, and his estate donated the land to the county after his passing in 1972.
Originally composed of 80 acres, Sunset Hill has continued to grow and currently boasts 238 acres, loaded with features such as picnic areas, campgrounds, walking trails, a playground, a pond, meeting rooms, a program center, amphitheater and more.
For more information about Sunset Hill Farm County Park, visit them online at https://www.porterco.org/facilities/facility/details/Sunset-Hill-Farm-County-Park-10