Parks & Recreation

Our Mission

It is the mission of the McLean County Department of Parks and Recreation to ensure adequate provision for high-quality regional parks and related outdoor recreational activities for all citizens of McLean County in the most cost-efficient manner.

Now Accepting Applications For The Firearm Antlerless Deer Hunt

The McLean County Department of Parks & Recreation is, once again, offering the SHOTGUN Antlerless Deer Hunt at COMLARA Park for 2022.  The Park's season is broken down into the first two Shotgun Season offered by the IDNR. If chosen, you will get one day to hunt and to try to harvest an antlerless deer. Please specify first or second season and what day you prefer to hunt.  Any other date you can try to "roll-in" as a stand-by hunter. This Year's Dates are:

Season 1: November 18 - 20

Season 2: December 1 - 4

If you are successfully drawn you will receive a letter in the mail and there will be a orientation meetings every morning in the Park Maintenance Building that you will be required to attend. Drawing is usually conducted the first week of September. A Non-Refundable Application Fee of $5.00 must accompany the application. The last day to apply is August 31, 2022.  If there are any questions, please feel free to call the park at (309) 434-6770.

You can register at the Park Visitor Center or on-line at

https://parksandrec.mcleancountyil.gov/eventdetail.aspx?EID=79


F.R. Glasener Beach is now open!

The beach will be changing to a No Lifeguard, Swim at Your Own Risk format.  The Park will still have an attendant at the beach for emergencies.

F.R. GLASENER BEACH

RULES FOR A FUN & SAFE SWIM

  1. SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK!  NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY!
  2. PERSONS UNDER AGE 16, MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT
  3. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES PROHIBITED
  4. NO RUNNING
  5. NO PETS ALLOWED
  6. ROUGH PLAY NOT ALLOWED
  7. FOOD/BEVERAGES/COOLERS PROHIBITED ON SAND & SUBJECT TO INSPECTION
  8. GLASS PROHIBITED IN ALL AREAS
  9. SMOKING IN EAST CONCESSION AREA ONLY
  10. NO PLAYING ON HANDICAP RAILING/RAMP
  11. CHILDREN WITH FLOTATION DEVICES MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT AT ALL TIMES
  12. APPROPRIATE SWIM ATTIRE REQUIRED
  13. ATTENDANT HAS EMERGENCY PHONE
  14. SWIMMING INSIDE BUOYED AREA ONLY!

 

Now Accepting Antlerless Archery Deer Hunt Applications!

The McLean County Department of Parks & Recreation is, once again, offering the ARCHERY Antlerless Deer Hunt at COMLARA Park for 2020. The Park's season is broken down into Six (6) one-week blocks. Successfully drawn hunters will have 7 days (1 Week) to hunt and to try to harvest an antlerless deer. this Year's Dates are: Week 1: October 1 - 7 Week 2: October 8 - 14 Week 3: October 15 - 21 Week 4: October 22 - 28 Week 5: Oct. 29 - Nov. 4 Week 6: November 5-11 If you are successfully drawn you will receive a letter in the mail and there will be a orientation meeting that you will be required to attend. Drawing is usually conducted the first week of August. A Non-Refundable Application Fee of $5.00 must accompany the application. If there are any questions, please feel free to call the park at (309) 434-6770.

TO REGISTER:  On-Line:  https://parksandrec.mcleancountyil.gov/eventdetail.aspx?EID=78

                           In-Person:  COMLARA Park Visitor Center 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Daily

Now Accepting Camping Reservations!!  

On-Line: Anytime   CampLife.com

In-Person:  8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Park Visitor Center

Phone-In & Mail-In:  8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Park Visitor Center

For more information or questions, please call the Park Visitor Center at (309) 434-6770.

Extended Bait Shop/Boat Rental Hours Starting May 28, 2022!

The Evergreen Lake Bait Shop & Boat Rental will extend their hours beginning Saturday, May 28, 2022!  The Operating Hours are as follows:  

                                    Bait Shop - Open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Daily

                                    Boat Rental - Open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Daily

                                    The pontoons can be rented every day!  We now have two of them!

2022 Evergreen Lake Boat Stickers Are Here!

ALL watercraft, including all boats, canoes, pontoons, kayaks, paddleboards, etc. must be registered with the McLean County Dept. of Parks & Rec.  Annual decal fees are $48.00 (McLean County Residents receive a $10.00 discount).  You can register in-person at the COMLARA Park Visitor Center (Office) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday OR On-line at   https://parksandrec.mcleancountyil.gov/eventdetail.aspx?EID=77

We Now Have Two Pontoons for Rental!

The Evergreen Lake Boat Rental now has two Pontoons to rent!  Prices remain the same!  $100 for 2 hours, $175 for four hours, and $325 for eight hours!  Call Now to reserve yours for that special occasion at (309) 434-6770.  Reservations can be made for dates April 2 through October 9, 2022

2022 Calendar of Events

DATE EVENT INFORMATION
Dec - Feb Cross Country Ski Trails Open Available when conditions permit
April 2 Camping Reservations Accepted In Person & Online Reservations April 2 (Phone-in & Mail accepted Monday, April 4)
April 2 Boat Rental/Bait Shop Opens Weekends Only
May 28 Swimming Beach Opens 7 Days/Week
May 28 Boat Rental Opens 7 Days/Week
June & July Archery Deer Hunt Applications Available
June 4 Tri Shark Triathlon Swim, Bike & Run (www.tri-shark.org)
June 25 Central Illinois Open Water Swim (CIOWS)  
July & August Firearm Deer Hunt Applications Available
July 9 COMLARA Park Ice Cream Social Ice Cream, Soft Drinks, Children's Games & More
July 13 - 17 Evergreen Lake Knap-In Arrowhead and Spear Point Crafting Demonstration + Additional Vendors
July 16 Take A Kid Fishing Tourney Evergreen Lake - Registration Day Of
July 31 Archery Deer Hunt Application Deadline  
August 8 Swimming Beach Closed Weekdays Only
August 31 Firearm Deer Hunt Application Deadline  
September 5 Last Day Swimming Beach Open  
September 6 Boat Rental Closed Weekdays Only
Oct 1 - Nov 11 Deer Management Program - Archery COMLARA Park - Designated Areas Closed
October 9 Boat Rental Closed for Season  
October 15 Last Day Bait Shop Open  
October 15 Fall Colors Family Marshmallow & Weiner Roast, Hayrack Rides, Music, Children's Games, Haunted Hayrack Rides, Children's Candy Hunt & More
October 16 Last Day - Camping Reservations  
November 18 - 20 Deer Management Program - Shotgun COMLARA Park - Closed to General Use
December 1 - 4 Deer Management Program - Shotgun COMLARA Park - Closed to General Use

EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2021

NEW CRAPPIE REGULATION AT EVERGREEN LAKE

Starting April 1, 2021, Evergreen Lake will have a New Crappie Regulation.  The New Regulation will state:  

CRAPPIE - White, Black, or Hybrid - 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 5 fish greater or equal to 10 inches

Adopt-A-Tree Program

Would you like to Adopt-A-Tree at COMLARA Park?

In the last couple of years, the park staff has had to cut down several Ash Trees that were destroyed by the Emerald Ash Borer, specifically in the Campground and Main Recreation Area (MRA).  For a donation of $100.00, the Park’s Dept. will purchase a 5-6 ft. tree and have a small plaque made with it to say you donated it and/or in memory of someone who was special to you.  For a donation of $200, the Park’s Dept. will purchase an 8-12 ft. tree and have a larger, more decorative plaque made with it to say you donated it and/or in memory of someone who was special to you.

For more information contact Mike at (309) 242-5806 or talk to a staff member at the visitor center. Thank you!

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