- Home
- Departments
- Departments G - Z
- Parks & Recreation
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.
1st Day of Camping Reservations & Camping at COMLARA Park. Please Read Carefully
PART 1 - FIRST DAY OF CAMPING RESERVATIONS: We will begin taking ON-LINE CAMPING RESERVATIONS as usual! This will begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 2020. *Please note that you CANNOT make any reservations for dates in the month of April due to Illinois Governor Pritzker’s "Shelter In Place" Restriction for the COVID-19 Virus. There will be NO WALK-IN RESERVATIONS on Saturday, April 4, 2020. INSTEAD, WE WILL BEGIN TAKING PHONE-IN CAMPING RESERVATIONS AT 8:00 A.M. SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL 4, 2020, INSTEAD OF MONDAY, APRIL 6TH.
*PART 2 - COMLARA PARK CAMPGROUND FACILITIES: The COMLARA Park Campground will remain closed during the MONTH OF APRIL. The tentative opening date will be May 1, 2020. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU MAKE A RESERVATION FOR ANYTIME AFTER MAY 1, 2020 AND THE GOVERNOR EXTENDS THE "Shelter In Place" RESTRICTION, WE WILL EITHER GIVE YOU A TOTAL REFUND OR YOU CAN MOVE YOUR RESERVATION TO A LATER DATE.
COMLARA Park Trails for hiking & biking and the Evergreen Lake Boat Launches REMAIN OPEN. Fishing from the shoreline is also open.
Update on Evergreen Lake/COMLARA Park (COVID-19)
We are extremely happy to announce that starting at 8:00 a.m. this Monday, March 23rd that the trails at COMLARA Park will be open to hiking and biking and that both boat ramps at Evergreen Lake will be open to fishermen boaters/kayakers.
Facilities that will remain closed until at least April 7th include the Campground, Park Visitor Center, Pinicking Areas/Shelters, and restrooms.
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.
We will have updates about the Campground, First Day of Camping Reservations, Park Visitor Center, and the other Park facilities as soon as possible. Thank you all for your cooperation!
Now Accepting Applications for 2020 Summer Employment
COMING THIS SPRING, PONTOON RENTAL!
STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS!!!
2020 Evergreen Lake Watercraft Decals Now Available
In-Person: At the COMLARA Park Visitor Center during operating hours. Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. FACILITY CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS.
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, put payment in envelope, tear off the top carbon copy (This acts as your temporary permit until the actual decal is mailed to you), and drop 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!
Camping Reservations for 2020
Camping Reservations for the COMLARA Park Campground began, via online registration, at 12:01 am on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Phone-in and mail reservations began Monday, April 6th at 8:00 am.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BELOW FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING RESERVATIONS AND CANCELLATION POLICY.
COMLARA PARK CAMPING RESERVATIONS
Reservations can be made starting the first Saturday in April for dates through October 20th. A non-refundable deposit of the first night's camping fee plus a separate $7.00 (in person) or $10 (phone-in/online) reservation fee per site is required. Reservations for an upcoming weekend cannot be made after noon on Thursday prior to the weekend. When making a reservation, your deposit must be charged to your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card at that time. Reservations by mail should include name, address, phone number, and date of reservation, preferred site number, and a deposit in the form of a check or money order. Reservations can be made in-person at the COMLARA Park Visitor Center during operating hours. View the COMLARA Park Interactive Map for campsite locations and photos.
Online reservations can be made at www.camplife.com/COMLARA.
| COST | ELECTRIC (50 AMP) | ELECTRIC (30 AMP) | NON-ELECTRIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site Fee | $27 | $24 | $21 |
| Rsvn Fee (in-person) | $7 | $7 | $7 |
| TOTAL | $34 | $31 | $28 |