City of McHenry :: Parks & Recreation

Welcome to the McHenry Parks and Recreation Department! The department is governed by the City Council of McHenry and provides recreational activities for all ages. The Parks and Recreation Department manages 37 different park sites within the city limits which can be utilized for family, individual and community activities. Discover the benefits of parks and recreation!

Dog Park Opening in Summer 2013

The McHenry Parks and Recreation Dog Park will be opening in Spring/Summer 2013! The dog park will be located north of the Kohls store on State of Illinois right–of–way property (FAP 420 – future Route 53 extension). Parking will be in the existing lot north of the Kohls store. We would like to thank Kohls and IDOT for their cooperation in granting the use of the site for our community dog park.

Park Features: shade, a large running area for dogs, onsite parking and running water. The park will be open from 7:00 am to dusk. The dog park provides year–round opportunities for dogs and their owners to socialize as well as exercise – both important to an animal’s temperament and health. A dog park promotes responsible pet ownership as well as allows dogs to legally run off–leash.

The dog park is divided into two separate areas – small dogs and large dogs. The large dog area is 3.7 acres, and the small dog area is 0.3 acres (approximately).

An annual pass will be sold for local dog owners to access the facility. Gate access will be a controlled system allowing only dog pass holders. City resident and non–city resident fees will be announced at a later date.

Registration Requirements: proof of residency for resident rate; a certificate of valid rabies/county tag number, distemper vaccinations from your vet or a vet receipt, proof of pet’s age/birthdate/adopted or rescue date.

Fees for the dog park are for one calendar year from January 1 through December 31. Note: Prorated fees will be announced depending on opening date.
Dog Park Map & Layout
Dog Park Rules and Regulations

Forestry

Emerald Ash Borer was confirmed in McHenry in June of 2011. Residents should now plan accordingly by assuming their ash trees are now infested. Newly affected trees may show few, if any symptoms and may appear healthy and green for up to a few years. Then decline will start to appear in the upper branches of the tree. Decline will appear as smaller than normal leaves in the tree and the color of the leaves will be lighter. The next year, dead limbs will be present and more declining branches will be present throughout the tree. Aggressively destroying declining ash trees, or in some cases aggressive insecticidal treatments, may slow the rate of tree mortality locally and remains the best practice.

For more information please visit the websites: Emeraldashborer.info or www.illinoiseab.com

Volunteer Opportunities

The McHenry Parks & Recreation Department has several opportunities to assist with special events and recreation programs. Click here for SUMMER 2013 opportunities. Volunteers are needed for special events, dance recital, Fiesta Days events, day camp programs, athletic programs, aquatic programs, swim lessons, swim team and pool special events.

If you are a student of McHenry High School, you can earn credit through S.O.S. (Service Opportunities for Students) program by volunteering hours.

Park Map, Amenities & Addresses

The McHenry Parks & Recreation Department has 38 parks with a total of more than 635 acres which offer a wide range of recreational activities and park facilities.

Facilities Utilized for Programs

The McHenry Parks & Recreation Department acknowledges the cooperation of School Districts #15 and #156 in making their facilities (gymnasiums, multipurpose rooms, stages, classrooms) available for recreation programs.

Facilities Utilized for Programs	Address
Crystal Ice House	320 E. Prairie Street / Crystal Lake
Duker Elementary School	3711 W. Kane Avenue
Edgebrook Elementary School	701 N. Green Street
First Baptist Church	509 N. Front Street
Golf Academy at Terra Cotta	5200 Pleasant Hill Rd / Prairie Grove
Greens of Irish Prairie	4300 Shamrock Lane
Hilltop Elementary School	2615 W. Lincoln Road
Lakeland Park Community Center	1717 W. Sunset Avenue
Landmark School	3614 W. Waukegan Road
Lippold Park	8597 IL Route 176 / Crystal Lake
McHenry Flying Dragons Martial Arts	1323 N. Riverside Drive
McHenry High School - East	1012 N. Green Street
McHenry High School - West	4724 W. Crystal Lake Road
McHenry Middle School	2120 W. Lincoln Road
McHenry Municipal Center	333 S. Green Street
Parkland Middle School	1802 N. Ringwood Road
Petersen Historic Farm	4112 McCullom Lake Road
Raymond's Bowl	3960 N. Johnsburg Road
Riverwood Elementary School	300 S. Driftwood Trail
Shamrock Farms Park	6402 Dartmoor Drive
St. Paul Episcopal Church	3706 St. Paul Avenue
The Studio School of Art	3316 W. Pearl Street
Valley View Elementary School	6515 W. Route 120
Valley View Acres	5116 Mt. Thabor / Woodstock
Veteran's Memorial Park	3400 Pearl Street

The McHenry Parks & Recreation Department appreciates the use of business and church space for recreation programs.

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Telephone Directory

Parks & Recreation Department - 815.363.2160, Fax - 815.363.3186
Park Maintenance - 815.363.2168
Lakeland Park Community Center 815.363.7243
Knox Park Pool - 815.363.2169
Petersen Park Beach - 815.363.2126

Parks & Recreation Staff

Superintendent of Recreation - Cindy Witt
Athletic Program Coordinator - Pattie Lunkenheimer
Park Planning & Forestry Superintendent - Tom Schmidt
Park Maintenance Superintendent - Ambrose Kittl
Park Maintenance Foreman - Jeff Friedle
Park Maintenance - Tracy Crowder
Park Maintenance - Mike Harper
Park Maintenance - Tyler Lamz
Administrative Assistant - Kathy Quick
Recreation Assistant - Anja Hertel
Recreation Assistant - Tina Conaway