Located on the southeast corner of Champaign County, Homer Lake is know as a place to connect.
Visitors use the 814 acres connect to nature, to their loved ones, to experiences and to friends, both old and new. Visitors come from all around to fish, to kayak, to walk through a maple grove, and to spend quiet time in the trees.
But one thing that the Champaign County Forest Preserve has known for quite some time is that throughout Champaign County, and even within the Homer Lake Forest Preserve, indoor gathering space is scarce.
Homer Lake currently has the Salt Fork Center for gathering space, but the Homer Lake Interpretative Center is seeing the signs of wear and tear, along with limited space for the educational programs held throughout the year.
The CCFPD board is looking at Nature Center Conceptual Plan by Flato Architects, which could remedy some needs at Homer Lake and within Champaign County.
Over the summer months, Flato conducted stakeholder input sessions with the public and staff to develop a conceptual design that connects trails and Midwest ecosystems to a state-of-the-art facility on the north side of the property.
“The best experience to learn about the landscape in ecology is within the landscape and ecology itself,” Associate Partner at Flato Architects Matt Wallace said.
Flato’s design combines the existing trails with access to parking lots, outdoor classrooms, a natural water space, and event space in the rustic, barn-like design that allows for people to continue their experience with nature, even while indoors.
The building, which is about as long as a football field, will be broken into two parts, creating flexible space for public exhibits, a dancing classroom, office areas and conference rooms, a viewing area, storage, a kitchen, a gift shop, among other uses.
The event space could hold up to 120 people, but potentially could be expanded for bigger parties.
Wallace said during the schematic design phase, Flato will present more information on their ideas to integrate sustainability.
The board plans to extend their conversation on access to the lake, what storage areas might be used for and they wanted to hear additional feedback from staff on what their needs are moving forward.
Although the project has been in the works throughout 2020, the Nov. meeting was the first time the Champaign County Forest Preserve board had seen the concept design. Flato plans to come back with additional designs as they integrate solutions for community needs and ideas.
