Chicago Cubs Home Opener 2017: New Parking Restrictions, Meter Rates And Street 'Slowdowns'

CHICAGO, IL — After spending the start of the Major League Baseball season on the road — and posting a National League Central-leading record of 4-2, tied with the Cincinnati Reds — the Chicago Cubs finally play their first game of 2017 at Wrigley Field on Monday in a rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers, their opponent in last year's NL Championship Series. Not only will it mark the North Siders' home opener, but the game also will include the raising of the Cubs' World Series banner before the first pitch. The ring ceremony for the team will be Wednesday.

Having a Cubs team that's also the defending World Series champions won't be the only change fans will encounter Monday at the Friendly Confines. The organization has been renovating the ballpark, inside and out, including the creation of a plaza at Clark Street and Waveland Avenue that will feature a team store, restaurant and Jumbotron screen. An increased security presence for a home opener also will be greeting people attending the game.

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Here's a look at what you need to know if you're attending Monday's game at Wrigley Field or just want to avoid hassles on your commute home. Parking and traffic information is from 44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney's office. Go to his website for more information and updates.

WRIGLEY FIELD LIVE: Check back at Patch on Monday night for live video with the fans gathering outside the ballpark before the Cubs' home opener.

Chicago Cubs Home Opener 2017

• Opponent: Los Angeles Dodgers (4-3)
• First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. Monday, April 10. Wrigley Field gates open two hours before first pitch.
• TV | Radio | Streaming: ESPN | 670 The Score | MLB.tv
• Pitching Matchup: Jon Lester (0-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Alex Wood (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
• World Series Banner Ceremony: The Cubs will raise the banner in a ceremony before the first pitch. Police have asked that the ceremony — as well as Wednesday's ring ceremony — not be broadcast on the Jumbotron screen in the new Wrigley Field plaza.

Traffic "Slowdowns"

Chicago police will be orderng traffic "slowdowns" before and after the game for some of the streets around the ballpark in an effort to control congestion in the area. The affected streets that might be closed include:

• Addison Street, between Racine Avenue and Halsted Street
• Clark Street, between Newport/Sheffield Avenue and Grace Street

Wrigley Field Parking Restrictions

Streets around the ballpark will be subject to opening week parking restrictions that will be in effect from noon to midnight Monday, April 10, and Wednesday, April 12. Vehicles illegally parked in the following streets will face ticketing and towing during that time:

• Addison Street (both sides), from Racine Avenue to Fremont Street
• Clark Street (both sides), from Newport Avenue to Irving Park Road
• Patterson Avenue (both sides), from Clark to Racine
• Eddy Street and Cornelia Avenue (both sides), from Clark to the first alley on the west

The area's normal parking restrictions also will go into effect Monday. Those streets include:

• Addison (north side), from Clark to Ashland, between 4 to 11:30 p.m. for all night games
• Eddy (north side), from Racine east to the Brown Lot entrance, two hours before until an hour after all games.

Residential permit parking areas also will be strictly enforced, and violators could be towed beginning at 5 p.m. for all night games. Residential parking guest passes must be properly diplayed on windshields starting at 5 p.m. The sale of residential parking permits is illegal.

Increased Parking Meter Rates

Increased special event rates for parking meters begin Monday. The affected pay boxes are between Belmont Avenue and Irving Park Road/Broadway and Southport Avenue. Meters in those areas will cost $4 per hour game days for a seven-hour period beginning two hours before the first pitch. These rates also will be in effect for other non-game, special events, as well.

Outside Wrigley Field during Game 3 of the 2016 World Series. (photo by Tim Moran)

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