Chicago Cubs 2016 Playoffs: Street Closings and Parking Restrictions Around Wrigley Field

CHICAGO, IL — Forget playoff schedules and ticket prices. The information many Chicago Cubs fans are clamoring for are what streets will be closed and how will parking be restricted around Wrigley Field during the postseason home games.

The Office of Alderman Tom Tunney (44th Ward) announced Tuesday how the Cubs' home playoff games will affect residents in the area, as well as fans attending the games, when it comes to navigating local streets.

"The next few weeks will be exciting and busy in our neighborhood," Tunney said in an emailed statement. "Residents should expect street closures between Belmont and Irving Park, and between Halsted and Southport. Arterial streets MAY be closed to vehicular traffic at the discretion of the Chicago Police and OEMC. Please keep your photo ID and proof of residence available for presentation to either CPD or Traffic Management Personnel. While this may be inconvenient, public safety is of the utmost importance."

RELATED: Chicago Cubs 2016 Postseason Schedule

The Cubs' postseason begins Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8, with Games 1 and 2 of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field. Game 1 will start at 8:15 p.m., and Game 2 will begin at 7:08 p.m. Game 5 will be played Thursday, Oct. 13, at Wrigley, if necessary.

Here's a look at the specific street closings, parking restrictions and security measures that will be in effect around the stadium for those games.

Street Closings (about three hours before game time)

• Sheffield Avenue (Addison Street to Waveland Avenue): Full closing (except fire lane). Pedestrian access will remain open on both sides of Sheffield.
• Waveland Avenue (Sheffield Avenue to Clark Street): Full closing (except fire lane). Pedestrian access will remain open on both sides of Waveland.

Belmont Avenue and Irving Park Road, from Halsted Street to Southport Avenue also are expected to be closed.

Parking Restrictions

Restrictions in the following areas (both sides of the streets) begin at noon Friday, Oct. 7, and run until 4 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 9:

• Clark Street, from School Street/Aldine Avenue to Irving Park Road
• Sheffield Avenue, from Roscoe to Grace streets
• Addison Street, from Halsted Street to Southport Avenue
• Racine Avenue, from Roscoe to Clark streets
• Irving Park, from Clark Street to Seminary Avenue

ComEd Substation at Seminary and Newport avenues

Restrictions in the following area begin at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, and run until 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 9.

• East side of Seminary from Newport to the alley
• North side of Newport from Seminary to the alley

Residential permit parking will be strictly enforced from 5 to 10 p.m. Violators will be subject to tickets and towings. Priority towing will take place in all special areas designated as no parking.

What to Expect During the Playoffs

• Wrigley Field gates for Game 1 open at 6 p.m., and they open at 5 p.m. for Game 2.
• Tailgating, alcohol consumption on the public way and loitering on streets surrounding Wrigley Field are prohibited.
• Garbage cans throughout the security perimeter will be removed for all games.
• There will be an increased police presence during the games, especially if a clinching Game 5 is necessary. For that game, parking restrictions will be imposed by Chicago police on Clark Street from Newport Avenue to Grace Street.
• Media outlets will be present throughout the neighborhood and around the ballpark Friday and Saturday for live and taped broadcasts throughout the day, as well as coverage after the game.
• Hospitality Teams, an independent third party hired by the Cubs, will be working throughout the neighborhood. The teams will try to provide a visible presence in the community and provide postgame crowd observation and incident response.

photo via Patch archive

Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!

• Like our Crime page on Facebook
  
• Live Traffic and Transit Updates