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.

COMLARA PARK VISITOR CENTER/OFFICE CLOSED FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

The COMLARA Park Visitor Center will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday, November 23, 2023 & Friday, November 24, 2023.  Business Hours will resume on Monday, November 27, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!


PART II - FIREARM PORTION OF THE DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 3, 2023. 

PARK/LAKE CLOSED TO GENERAL USE DURING THIS TIME.

November 30 - December 3, 2023.

All of COMLARA Park/Evergreen Lake will be closed to general use November 30 - December 3, 2023 to allow for the Firearm portion of the Deer Management Program.  Exceptions: The Campground will remain open and fishermen wanting to fish from the SHORELINE ONLY can do so at the Pumphouse and Campground Cove.  Thank you.

OUT OF MINNOWS AT THE BAIT SHOP.  NIGHTCRAWLERS AND REDWORMS STILL AVAILABLE AT PARK VISITOR CENTER.  BAIT SHOP/BOAT RENTAL NOW CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.

We are out of minnows at the Evergreen Lake Bait Shop.  We do still have Nightcrawlers and Redworms at the Park Visitor Center while they last.  Park Visitor Center hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  We are closed on weekends.  Thank you!

ALL WATER IS NOW SHUT DOWN IN THE CAMPGROUND, INCLUDING THE SHOWER HOUSE AND AT THE DUMPSTATION.



ALL CAMPSITES NOW ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS!

ALL CAMPSITES NOW ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.  Please register for campsites during Park Visitor Center hours, Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. OR use Self-Registration Dropbox located at the start of the Campground next to the Campground Station building during after hours or on weekends.

On-Line and In-Person Reservations can be made for the 2024 year starting April 6, 2024.

EVERGREEN LAKE REMAINS A 10HP OR LESS LAKE!

The horsepower limit on Evergreen Lake remains 10hp or less.  You can use a larger motor to load and unload from your trailer.  Motors greater than 10hp MUST be propped out of the water once you are away from the launch docks.  YOU CANNOT IDLE A LARGER MOTOR AT NO-WAKE SPEED ON EVERGREEN LAKE.  Thank you.

2023 Calendar of Events

DATE EVENT INFORMATION
Dec - Feb Cross Country Ski Trails Open Available when conditions permit
April 1 Camping Reservations Accepted In Person & Online Reservations April 1 (Phone-in & Mail accepted Monday, April 3)
April 1 Boat Rental/Bait Shop Opens Weekends Only
May 27 Swimming Beach Opens 7 Days/Week
May 27 Boat Rental Opens 7 Days/Week
June & July Archery Deer Hunt Applications Available
June 3 Tri Shark Triathlon Swim, Bike & Run (www.tri-shark.org)
June 24 Central Illinois Open Water Swim (CIOWS)  
July & August Firearm Deer Hunt Applications Available
July 8 COMLARA Park Ice Cream Social Ice Cream, Soft Drinks, Children's Games & More
July 15 Take A Kid Fishing Tourney Evergreen Lake. Registration Day of Event
July 20-23 Evergreen Lake Knap-In Arrowhead and Spear Point Crafting Demonstration + Additional Vendors
July 31 Archery Deer Hunt Application Deadline  
August 7 Swimming Beach Closed Weekdays Only
August 19 Painful Elimination Run  
August 31 Firearm Deer Hunt Application Deadline  
September 4 Last Day Swimming Beach Open  
September 5 Boat Rental Closed Weekdays Only
Oct 2 - Nov 12 Deer Management Program - Archery COMLARA Park - Designated Areas Closed
October 8 Boat Rental Closed for Season  
October 14 Last Day Bait Shop Open  
October 14 Fall Colors Family Day Marshmallow & Weiner Roast, Hayrack Rides, Music, Children's Games, Haunted Hayrack Rides, Children's Candy Hunt & More
October 15 Last Day - Camping Reservations  
November 17 - 19 Deer Management Program - Shotgun COMLARA Park - Closed to General Use
November 30 - December 3 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

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