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.

Our Parks/Lake

COMLARA Park & Evergreen Lake: Rural Hudson, IL. COMLARA Park is approximately 1300 acres and offers a variety of recreational activities such as Camping, Swimming, Boating, Fishing, Picnicking, Hiking, Mountain Biking, and Equestrian use. You are certain to see a variety of animal and plant species here at the Park.

Evergreen Lake is approximately 925 acres and offers a tranquil setting with a 10 h.p. maximum limit on boat motors. Fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing are popular on the Lake. A Watercraft Registration is required on all watercraft or you can enjoy a rental watercraft from the Evergreen lake Boat Rental.

S.H. West Park: Rural LeRoy, IL. This small, but very beautiful 20-acre Park was donated by Simeon H. West in 1908. The park has a very tranquil setting, with mature stands of Hickory and Walnut trees, a picnic shelter, and a scenic nature trail. In addition to these amenities, the park has many different species of wildflowers and birds.

More information can be found on our Parks and Lake at the left on our drop-down menu. You can find Updated Announcements below.

Click here to view the 2025 Calendar of Events for COMLARA Park

Ice Safety

ALL ICE ACTIVITIES ARE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

If you head out to Evergreen Lake to ice fish, cross-country ski, or just to enjoy a winter day, we want you to have fun and be safe. A bit of advance planning and practicing basic ice precautions can help you return home safely.

When Is Ice Safe?

There really is no sure answer, and no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. You cannot judge the strength of ice by one factor like its appearance, age, thickness, temperature or whether the ice is covered with snow. Ice strength is based on a combination of several factors, and they can vary from water body to water body. Ice strength can also vary in different areas of the same body of water.

Know Before You Go

Because ice conditions vary, it is important to know before you go. The McLean County Parks Department does not monitor local ice conditions or the thickness of the ice. Local bait shops, fishing clubs and resorts serve winter anglers every day and often have the most up-to-date information on how thick the ice is on local lakes and rivers, as well as areas that are especially dangerous.

Safety Tips

Dress warmly in layers.
Don't go alone. Head out with friends or family. Take a cell phone if available, and make sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected to return.
Know before you go. Don't travel in areas you are not familiar and don't travel at night or during reduced visibility.
Avoid inlets, outlets or narrow that may have current that can thin the ice.
Look for clear ice, which is generally stronger than ice with snow on it or bubbles in it.
Carry some basic safety gear: ice claws or picks, a cellphone in a waterproof bag or case, a life jacket and length of rope.

What To Do If You Fall Through Ice

If you fall through the ice, remain calm and act quickly.

Do not remove your winter clothing. Heavy clothes can trap air, which can help provide warmth and flotation. This is especially true in a snowmobile suit.
Go back toward the direction you came. That is probably where you will find the strongest ice - and what lies ahead is unknown.
Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface. This is where a pair of nails, sharpened screwdrivers or ice picks are handy in providing the extra traction you need to pull yourself up onto the ice.
Kick your feet and dig in your ice picks to work your way back onto the solid ice. If your clothes have trapped a lot of water, you may have to lift yourself partially out of the water on your elbows to let the water drain before starting forward.
Once back on the ice, don't try to stand up. Lie flat until you are completely out of the water, then roll away from the hole to keep your weight spread out. This may help prevent you from breaking through again.
Get to a warm, dry, sheltered area and warm yourself up immediately. In moderate to severe cases of cold-water hypothermia, you must seek medical attention. Cold blood trapped in your extremities can come rushing back to your heart after you begin to warm up. The shock of the chilled blood may cause ventricular fibrillation leading to a heart attack and death!

All Campsites Now On A First-Come, First-Served Basis / Visitor Center Hours Change

All campsites at the COMLARA Park Campground are now on a first-come, first-served basis. We will begin accepting camping reservations again next April 5, 2025.

The back two sections of the Campground, the water in the campground, and the Shower House will be shut down Friday, November 1, 2024.

CAMPERS - The Park Visitor Center is now open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you want a campsite after 4:00 p.m. or on the weekend, please use the Self-Registration Dropbox located next to the brown, wooden Campground Station Building at the beginning of the Campground. Thank you!

New Wetland Construction on East Side of Park - Will Affect John English Memorial Trail

There will be a New Wetland Area constructed on the east side of COMLARA Park starting the week of July 21, 2024. This area will be south of the Main Park Entrance and just south of where COMLARA Park Road takes a sharp turn to the east and turns into 2400 N. Road.

Hikers, Mountain Bikers and Equestrian users, the John English Memorial Trail will be affected by this construction. Please look out for signage for reroutes and closures of trails. Please see map below.