NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (AP) — The foundation that will take over operation of Arbor Lodge state park and mansion plans to make the home of Arbor Day founder J. Sterling Morton more accessible to people with disabilities.

The Arbor Day Foundation on Nov. 1 will assume responsibility for the 72-acre Arbor Lodge State Historical Park in Nebraska City. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission last month approved a five-year agreement with the foundation. The commission still will own the park and the 52-room home built by Morton in 1855.

Tammy Partsch (parch) is president of Friends of Arbor Lodge, and she told the newspaper that the foundation plans to spend $1.5 million on the accessibility issues, restore terraced gardens, build an events shelter and make other upgrades.