Publication Date: 04/30/2014

UPDATE: Fields and Garden Plots are open weather permitting.

Athletic Field Update

The winter that never ends, seems to be how most are feeling these days. The Chicago area has endured heavy snowfall and bitterly cold temperatures. While it was a good season for winter sporting activities it has taken its toll on our abilities to get our athletic fields prepared and safe for the spring baseball, lacrosse and soccer season. This has resulted in a delay to the start of the season.

With over 75 inches of snow covering the turf there is additionally an unprecedented frost layer that is 40 – 48 inches deep creating a multitude of challenges. As you look out the window most of the snow cover has melted, but an even larger challenge will be patiently waiting for the ground to thaw. As you can imagine with the ground frozen and 75 inches of snow melt the water has nowhere to go creating a surface area that is completely saturated. These conditions make the fields unplayable and more importantly: unsafe. Safety for the participants in our programs and any visiting players to the park district is our number one priority.

What will happen to the turf on our athletic fields if we allow people to play too early is the question in many coaches and players minds. If we allow play on our fields when the soil is not completely thawed the root zone and soil structure will be negatively affected far into the season and it may take the entire year to rehabilitate a field to safe playing conditions. It will take more than a few warm days and lots of sunshine to get the turf growing this spring. Plant roots remain dormant until they reach a required soil temperature, which generally is 59-70 degrees in northern Illinois.

The park district and its maintenance staff are as anxious for spring to arrive as you may be. We will make every effort to get the fields safe and playable as soon as possible for the season; however this is all dependent on the weather. The Wheaton Park District is asking all residents and program participants to stay off the athletic fields so we can ensure an enjoyable experience all year long. We thank you for your cooperation and patience following an unprecedented winter.

Garden Plots Update

In addition, the park district rents 48 garden plots to residents to grow vegetables and flowers. The goal is always to get these garden plots tilled and ready for planting by mid-April. In recent years we have been able to have them up and going in March but again as stated above the excessive snow cover and subsequent melting has not allowed the soil to be prepared for the growing season. If we were to attempt to do this when the conditions are too wet the soil structure would be compromised making growing plants nearly impossible and this would be affected for many years. Again, please be patient we will work as quickly as we can to get these ready for the upcoming season.