Parks & Recreation

NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE ARCHERY AND SHOTGUN ANTLERLESS DEER HUNTS

FOR ARCHERY - 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.

FOR SHOTGUN - The McLean County Department of Parks & Recreation is, once again, offering the SHOTGUN Antlerless Deer Hunt at COMLARA Park for 2020. 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 20 - 22

Season 2: December 3 - 6

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.

If there are any questions, please feel free to call the park at (309) 434-6770.

PONTOON & STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDS NOW AVAILABLE TO RENT AT EVERGREEN LAKE BOAT RENTAL!

PONTOON CAN BE RESERVED STARTING JULY 1ST!

18’ LOWE BRAND PONTOON FITS 8-10 PEOPLE!

The Evergreen Lake Boat Rental is now renting an 18’ Lowe Brand Pontoon that will fit 8-10 people. You can rent on a 2-hour, 4-hour, or 8-hour basis. AT THIS TIME IT IS ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS. We will be setting up a reservation system in the future. The rental fees are as follows: 2-Hour = $100.00, 4-Hour = $175.00 and 8-Hour = $325.00. You can fish off it, cruise around and look at wildlife, or just relax and enjoy the sun! The Stand-up Paddleboards are a fun way to enjoy Evergreen Lake! Rental is just $12.00/hr. or $27.00 all day! So, come on out and give it a try!!!!

CAMPGROUND, BOAT RENTAL/BAIT SHOP, & VISITOR CENTER WILL OPEN FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020!!!

Update on Evergreen Lake/COMLARA Park (COVID-19)

Updated: Saturday. May 23, 2020

The COMLARA Park Campground, the Evergreen Lake Boat Rental/Bait Shop, and the Park Visitor Center will open Friday, May 29, 2020! The Boat Rental/Bait Shop will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 7 days. The Park Visitor Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday AND 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays.

The trails at COMLARA Park remain open to hiking and biking and both boat ramps at Evergreen Lake remain open to fishermen boaters/kayakers. Shoreline fishing is also permissible.
Facilities that will remain closed indefinitely, include both Group Campsites and Pinicking Areas/Shelters. Sadly, F.R. Glasener Beach will remain closed for the entire 2020 Summer Season.
Please remember we still need to be cognizant of being in groups and/or the social distancing rule. Please also remember to wash your hands frequently. The sooner we do this, we believe, the sooner this virus will pass.

Closing of F.R. Glasener Beach at COMLARA Park for the Summer of 2020

Updated: Friday, May 8, 2020

The McLean County Department of Parks & Recreation has decided to close its public swimming beach, F.R. Glasener Beach, at COMLARA Park for the summer of 2020 due to public health concerns with COVID-19/Coronavirus. Due to the uncertainty, and more importantly, the health risk factors, it was decided to close our public swimming beach down for the summer of 2020. A safe and fun recreational experience is always the Parks Department’s goal for the Park’s visitors. With the current situation with the COVID-19/Coronavirus, we could not see a safe, healthy, and cost-effective way to open.

THANK YOU!

2020 Evergreen Lake Watercraft Decals Now Available

In-Person: At the COMLARA Park Visitor Center during operating hours. The Park Visitor Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. starting Friday, May 29, 2020.

On-Line: http://webapp.mcleancountyil.gov/webapps/ParksAndRec/allevents.aspx

Self-Registration Dropboxes: There are Self-Registration Dropboxes located at both boat launches. Fill out the form, place the payment in an envelope, tear off the top carbon copy (This acts as your temporary permit until the actual decal is mailed to you), and drop the envelope in dropbox.

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.

FMI CONTACT MIKE AT (309) 242-5806 OR TALK TO A STAFF MEMBER AT THE PARK VISITOR CENTER. THANK YOU!