Glacial Park Conservation Area — Attraction in McHenry

Pet parents please be careful with your pups. My husband and I took our Lab with us on short evening hike last fall (2021) and she past away two weeks ago due to fungal infection. Blastomycosis, (blasto) apparently a silent killer. We (like so many others) had no idea she had it until she began having health problems. A huge growth on her neck, joint-limb (kneecap) area she had a sore (a lesion) that appeared around the same time. We thought cancer or lymphoma (she was 12 years old, so I was kind of expecting growths eventually bc of her breed, but again, she was a healthy girl and this onset of symptoms came out of literally nowhere. We didn't even think 1 had to do with the other..neck and hind limb? Took her to vet, had the neck drained during her dental cleaning, sent a sample off for biopsy (or histo(?) and waited a little over a week for results. Her dr. called, after hours and informed me. We started aggressive treatment that evening. Sadly, 3 days later she couldn't fight anymore. She was literally declining right before my eyes. Very VERY difficult. Dr told us if we can just get through the first week, she will be ok. Just the first week is going to be rough. His dog had the same fungus and he had to remove an eye. Dr. didn't think it was in Summergirl's lungs, yet. I think it was. This park has a creek that may have been the cause. I cannot say for sure but we walked the same route in our neighborhood daily for 4 years and this was the only place she had been. Apparently this fungus is prominent after a flood (or rain) in the soil. Humans can get it but less likely than dogs. My (her) vet saw 6 patients one year and 2 patients another, and it's just something that he happened to be familiar with. A midwestern thing, so to speak. We can't test soil before letting our dogs put their feet on the ground but I hope to save any family pet that may show signs of unknown cause...I wish we had the information prior to our outing..it may have made us think about leaving her home. The park is lovely. Quiet and we only saw two others on the trail. I was planning a future trip (at the time) for the winter, upon first snow. We never made it...

Wide open space with abundant trails and wildlife viewing. Excellent photography site. Easily pack a lunch and spend an afternoon here with all there is to see. The sledding hill is okay, but we prefer it because it's never busy. Some of the trails could use signage. (I've dead-ended into a marshy area in the past, may be fixed now) and how wonderful it would be to put a few of the abandoned buildings on the property to good use. Also, on the canoe landing side, a few K9 visitors and their humans tend to leave surprises in the middle of the trail year-round. This is a bit of a drawback, as you feel the need to be looking down, rather than at the beautiful scenery. MCCD educational programs held at the historic farmhouse are top-notch. Enjoyable for both kids and adults alike. The volunteers do an amazing job all around. Glacial Park is definitely worth spending the day, attending a program, paddling the creek, or just taking a...

This was our first time at Glacial park and it was also winter time. We had a few inches of snow, but now mostly was melted or the snow had turned to slick ice. We brought our dog for a walk around the park. The staff were super friendly and recommended a few places to hike that wouldn't be too dangerous considering the ice. You really didn't feel too isolated in nature with farm buildings, etc within easy view. In addition apparently this park is close to a gun range. I figured this out about 5 minutes into being there and hearing the crack of semi automatic gun fire in distance. In addition I think someone in the area also had some sort of hobby cannon. The wife and I joked that it must be Wisconsin invading Illinois. Beyond all that the dog enjoyed herself. Not sure if we will make the drive from...