The Village of Port Barrington is a small town  nestled in the Fox River Valley (pop. 1584, 2020 Census.) Established in 1927 and Incorporated in 1969, the Village of Port Barrington changed its name from Fox River Valley Gardens in 2003.  This recreational community, located in both Lake and McHenry Counties, has walking, biking and snowmobile trails, boating, fishing, and several parks and marinas within its boundaries.  The Fox River Preserve of the Lake County Forest Preserve is also within the boundaries of Port Barrington, offering its own marina, pavilions, and connecting trails for more outdoor enjoyment.

Port Barrington has its own Public Works Department, responsible for maintenance of parks, snow removal, storm sewer, and minor road repair. Police protection is provided by McHenry & Lake County’s Sheriff Departments. The Village also contracts with off-duty Deputies for extra duty. McHenry County Sheriff non-emergency number is 815-338-2149. Lake County Sheriff non-emergency number is 847-549-5200.

Major improvements in road, bridge and park projects have been on going, while maintaining one of the lowest municipal property tax rate increases in McHenry County. The Village Hall was built in 1976 with an all-volunteer labor force, and two additional Public Works buildings were completed in later years. Refuse, recycling and optional yard waste programs are provided by LRS Waste Management Services. Most of the Village residences have sanitary sewers serviced by Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District and private wells.

Annual recreational events in Port Barrington include the Village RiverFest (formerly The Garden Party) which is held in Hermann Park in back of the Village Hall  featuring food, games, raffles and live music; holiday parties for children and families, the Community Garage Sale, “Concerts-in-the-Park”,  Kids’ “Splash” Day, and the Chili Cook-Off Contest.. The Village R.E.C. Committee meets on second Monday of every month at 6:00 PM to organize these events and others. All those interested in planning community events are welcome to attend.

Port Barrington Neighborhoods

Fox River Valley Gardens  The original section of Port Barrington has kept the former Village name as its title.  It is located in McHenry County, both Nunda and Algonquin Townships, with approximately 200 single-family homes built on 1/4 acre lots. It is is bordered on the west by the Fox River and is built around a series of man-made channels known as the “Nielsen Channels” –noted as one of the best fishing spots in northern Illinois. Several parks, including a beach and boat launch, are found within Fox River Valley Gardens. This section of the Village lies within both Algonquin and Nunda Townships of McHenry County. The Port Barrington Village Hall lies within its center.

RiverWalk   The Village Annexed a 240-acre parcel of land in 1980 located west of Roberts road and lying on both sides of Rawson Bridge Road know as the RiverWalk subdivision. These 262 homes are built on 90 acres, 26 of which are for wakling trails and retention ponds. 8.6 acres are set aside for a future commercial shopping center and more than 100 acres remain as open space. RiverWalk lies within both Nunda Township, McHenry County and Wauconda Township, Lake County. Fox Trail Park, adjacent to RiverWalk at the end of Willow Road, boasts two basemall diamonds, a football/soccer field, a playground and walking trails. RiverWalk residents are members of the RiverWalk Homeowners’ Association.

Fox River Preserve & The Moorings A second annexation in 1989 brought in 250 acres off of Roberts Road, south of Center Street.  All but 20 acres of this property is owned by the Lake County Forest Preserve as the Fox River Preserve. The remaining 20 acres were subdivided int 16 one-acre home sites called The Moorings. Residents of The Moorings live on private roads and are members of The Moorings Homeowners’ Association. The Moorings and homes located on River Trail are located in Lake County, Cuba Township.

Port Barrington Shores  In 1992, 23 acres in Cuba Township along the Fox River was annexed.  Formerly occupying the Dockside Restaurant and Bar, these buildings were razed and major shoreline improvements began, including modern docking facilities and seawalls.  This parcel now includes Port Barrington Shares–36 luxury condominiums with the options for docking rights and river views. Port Barrington Shores is a gated community and its residents belong to Port Barrington Shores Homeowners Association. A marina and restaurant occupy a waterfront commercial space adjacent to the condominiums. This section of the Village lies in Cuba Township of Lake County.

Deer Grove  In 2001, another parcel was annexed into the Village at the northeast corner of Darrel road, east of Roberts Road. Deer Grove is a 39-home subdivision bordering a forested wetland area surrounded by a waking trail and retention ponds.  These homes are members of the Deer Grove Homeowners Association and lie in Wauconda Township of Lake County .

Deer Grove North  was built a few years after Deer Grove by the same developer. It is located off of Darrell Road, east of Roberts Road in Wauconda Township, Lake County and consists of 27 homes forming Deer Grove North Homeowners Association. It is a conservation development with the cluster of homes surrounded by many acres of preserved wetlands. Prescribed burns keep native flora thriving and attractive to many species of birds and butterflies, as well as to the human eye.