The Gompers Park Athletic Association (GPAA) has announced that it is prepared to cancel all youth baseball games and practices for the upcoming season due to the city delaying relocation of a nearby homeless encampment.
The City of Chicago has pushed back the originally scheduled move from February to March, leaving the park's youth baseball league in limbo.
Ryan Johnson, president of the GPAA, expressed concern about the safety of the 625 children who participate in the league.
In a letter sent to families, Johnson noted that the season would be canceled due to the encampment after outlining the risks posed by its proximity to the baseball fields.
“Dear Gompers Park Families, I'm sure that all of you are aware of the ongoing safety concerns with the tent encampment located in Little Gompers Park,” Jonson wrote in the letter. “Based on these safety concerns in such close proximity to the playing field, we have unanimously agreed that if the tents located near the playing field are still present or if they return at any point during the season, we will be forced to suspend all activities from Little Gomps. This will include all games and practices.”
Johnson went on to explain that the league's decision puts the safety of children first.
“The vote was not taken lightly because it is a huge sacrifice for the children and puts unnecessary strain on scheduling to other fields,” he said. “I have confirmed that we have the capacity to move all of the projected games from Little Gompers to our other fields so we will not lose any games. Being forced off of our most recently renovated field will be extremely difficult, but it is definitely what is in the best interest of player safety.”
While the association has contingency plans in place, Johnson made it clear that they will not use the Little Gompers field if the tents remain.
“To be clear, Gompers Park Athletic Association will not be using the field at Little Gompers if the tents are not moved prior to the start of the season and the city does not keep them from returning to our park,” he wrote.
The encampment, which has been a growing concern for local residents, has raised numerous safety issues, including the presence of drug paraphernalia, fires and dog attacks.
Neighbors have been calling for action for over a year, with Ald. Samantha Nugent of the 39th Ward leading the charge for a solution.
"We’ve been asking for help in Gompers for over a year now," Nugent said, according to FOX 32. "In addition to myself, Senator Ram Villivalam, State Representative Mike Kelly, State Representative Lindsey LaPointe – we've all been working together, asking for this moving event to be pushed up because we recognize that we have a dangerous situation."
The encampment has drawn the ire of local residents, one of whom narrated a recent video tour of the park.
“Another beautiful day at the pond. How pretty this park is? Oh wow. Wait. Is this a park? Because this is disgusting. Oh look at that – it’s feces and toilet paper everywhere. What a nice place we had. Just more f***ing tents,” an X user posting under the name PTinCeilingPubs said.
The user behind the account questioned local politicians as well.
"How can we elect people who enable bums and hamstring cops?" the post said.
Others on social media joined in as well.
“It's come to this. Disgusting,” a resident named Darren posted on X under the name @ChiTownCheese.
Gompers Park, located at Foster and Pulaski Avenues in the North Park community, spans 42 acres along the Chicago River. It includes wetlands and a lagoon with pier access. In 1929, the park was named after Samuel Gompers, long-time president of the American Federation of Labor.
The Gompers Park Athletic Association holds monthly board meetings on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
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