A US$150m Creationism-themed park, including a 500ft-long replica of Noah’s Ark, is planned for Grant County, Kentucky, US.

The parties behind the project are Ark Encounter, a limited liability company, and Answers in Genesis, the not-for-profit group behind the controversial Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky.

According to the Ark Encounter website: “The Ark Encounter will be an immersive, historically-themed experience for the whole family focused on having fun while learning about history. It is not an amusement park.

“It will feature a number of daily live performances, as well as live special events. It will also include edutainment aspects.”

Other attractions will include a 30m-tall Tower of Babel and a 500-seat theatre.

As for funding, Ark Encounter will raise US$125m and Answers in Genesis will provide US$24.5m. The Mishawaka, Indiana-based firm The Troyer Group will be undertaking the construction work.

The project is not without its critics however, with some corners of the US media balking at the fact that the developers are seeking government money, saying “it’s a violation of the separation of church and state”.

Construction is expected to begin next year and the attraction is scheduled to open in 2014.