Grub Infestation Disrupts Spring Sports Season in Lincoln Square Parks

Grubs force closure of Winnemac and Welles parks for up to 10 weeks, impacting youth baseball and softball leagues.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:49pm

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White grub larvae have infested the fields in Winnemac and Welles parks in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood, forcing the Chicago Park District to close the parks for 8-10 weeks starting in mid-April to treat the grubs and reseed the grounds. This will disrupt the spring sports season for over 2,000 kids registered in local youth baseball and softball leagues, who will have to find alternative playing sites.

Why it matters

Grub infestations are a recurring issue in the Lincoln Square parks, with the last major outbreak happening in 2023. The closures will significantly impact the spring sports season for local youth leagues, forcing them to find alternative playing sites and disrupting the season for thousands of kids.

The details

The Chicago Park District discovered the grub infestation while evaluating the fields for the upcoming spring sports season. A landscape contractor will treat the grubs and reseed the fields, which will require the parks to be closed for 8-10 weeks. The district is working to find alternative sites for the youth baseball and softball leagues to play during this time.

  • In mid-April, a landscape contractor will treat the grubs and re-seed the grounds.
  • Winnemac Park fields are expected to reopen on June 1.
  • Welles Park fields are expected to reopen on July 1.

The players

Chicago Park District

The government agency responsible for managing and maintaining the parks in Chicago, including Winnemac and Welles parks.

Welles Park Parent Association (WPPA)

A volunteer organization that oversees the youth baseball and softball leagues at Welles Park, with over 2,000 kids registered to play.

Joseph Negussi

The president of the Welles Park Parent Association.

Christopher Dietrich

An entomologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey who provided expertise on the grub infestation.

Rebecca Fyffe

The director of research at Landmark Pest Management, who provided additional context on the impact of grubs and their role in the ecosystem.

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What they’re saying

“There's probably just some disappointment, hey this is what I thought it would be and now it's not.”

— Joseph Negussi, President, Welles Park Parent Association (Chicago Tribune)

“No one's happy about it, of course, but we're gonna make the best of it.”

— Joseph Negussi, President, Welles Park Parent Association (Chicago Tribune)

“I can't stress how important these grubs are as part of a healthy ecosystem.”

— Rebecca Fyffe, Director of Research, Landmark Pest Management (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The Chicago Park District is working to identify alternative playing sites for the youth baseball and softball leagues while Winnemac and Welles parks are closed for grub treatment and reseeding.

The takeaway

This recurring grub infestation in Lincoln Square's parks highlights the challenges that urban green spaces face in maintaining healthy playing fields, and the importance of finding sustainable solutions that balance the needs of the community, the ecosystem, and park maintenance.