ELKHART, Ind. (AP): Work is about to start on replacing a northern Indiana county park's observation tower that was destroyed in an arson four years ago.

The Elkhart County Parks Department says it has raised nearly $135,000 to build the new tower in Ox Bow County Park. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for Wednesday on the tower, which will be built into a hillside and rise about 30 feet above ground.

The new tower will feature a wheelchair ramp, and both the ramps and platforms will be larger than the old tower.

Parks superintendent Ronda DeCaire tells The Elkhart Truth (http://bit.ly/1p7xhXs ) the changes will allow more people on the tower at the same time and better accommodate school programs.

About $22,000 for the project was raised by school groups and others.