Behind The Plate: Wrigley Field Gives Back To Its Neighbors
CHICAGO (CBS) -- It's the morning after a big night game at Wrigley Field and David Rosato and his crew are up bright and early to clean up the neighborhood even before the neighborhood is up.
"First thing we go around the blocks, clean up, touch up everywhere, get the garbage, get the players' lot, the side streets. It takes about two hours," said Rosato.
Mike Lufrano is in charge of keeping the Wrigleyville looking good and keeping the neighbors happy. Afterall, a major league ballpark in an urban setting is pretty unique.
Podcast
"We actively participate in cleaning up after our games but also in contributing to the life and vibrancy of the neighborhood," says Lufrano, executive vice president of community affairs for the Cubs. "We think we work well with the neighborhood. We are big economic drivers to all the business we see around here and we like to partner with them and give back."
And that means contributions to the neighborhood go beyond the perimeter of the ball park.
"We like to make donations that help get people involved, get kids involved, if we can help people play baseball that's terrific," he said.
The Cubs were donors to a new park on School Street, a fitness center at Hawthorne Academy and the new Kerry Wood Cub Field which is nearly complete.
"We will have a brand new high school baseball stadium, the first of its kind in this part of the city that will be available for all Chicago public high school students, for all park district players," Lufrano said. "It's a wonderful new stadium that will be part of the athletic complex that is being created around Clark Park around Addison and Western."
And with the 1060 project, comes long term construction and that means constant communication and updates to those who live nearby. Lufrano says the Cubs participate in up to 80 community meetings a year.
"They are helpful to us, we can let residents know when there's night games, when there are concerts, how construction will affect street closures. We want to make sure we know that we keep them informed."
Proof, he says playing ball with the neighbors goes way beyond the ivy.
"It's a wonderful way to give back to the community and encourage the love of baseball."
