The Little Cubs Field offices and gift shop, featuring a smaller version of the famed marquee that above the entry to Chicago’s Wrigley Field. (Winnebago Chronicle photo)

It won’t be long before snowdrifts melt, daffodils and grass sprout and kids return for baseball at Freeport’s Little Cubs Field.

And tourists won’t be far behind.

The eight-year-old replica of Chicago’s Wrigley Field has joined the ranks of top visitors’ attractions in Freeport, the 188-year-old town long known for links to Abraham Lincoln, one of the state’s oldest Carnegie libraries, historic Krape Park and an active arts scene.

“We definitely promote (Little Cubs Field) here a lot,” said Connie Sorn, executive director of the Freeport/Stephenson County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “People tend to find it as well. There are people from all over the world that have shown up at this place.”

Little Cubs Field officials say its had as many as 30,000 out-of-town visitors representing 48 states and 27 countries since opening day.

“Our office actually managed the  field for a couple of years and we did some economic impact studies,” Sorn said. “It’s over $100,000 for sure in economic impact on the community.”

Located on the corner of West Empire St. and McKinley, Ave., Little Cubs Field is true to the original at Clark and Addison Streets in Chicago.

Among the 30 replicated features are a natural grass infield, outfield brick walls that match the curvature of Wrigley Field and perfectly reproduced center field scoreboard with flags, pennants and a working clock.

The biggest differences is scale.

Little Cubs Field dimensions run just 100 feet down the left field line and 112 to center, some 200 feet or more short of Chicago’s “Friendly Confines.”

Seating consists of aluminum bleachers, plus a some original chairs from Wrigley Field. There are plans to construct outfield bleachers.  Admission to games is free.

The park was built by volunteer labor — including skilled trades — plus donated materials and equipment.

It also features ivy presented by the Chicago Cubs and planted in 2007 by Mayra Veeck, the daughter of the late baseball club owner Bill Veeck, who helped establish the original Wrigley Field outfield ivy in the 1930s.

“It was done by volunteers, people with a passion for the Cubs and people who said this is a really good thing for our community,” Sorn said. “There was so much community involvement to get the thing built. It was amazing.”

While the non-profit Little Cubs Field is designed for seven and eight-year-old Little Leaguers, it’s not strictly limited to kids.

When not in use, anyone is invited in take a swing, shag fly balls or run the bases. The park is also available to rental to groups. Other non-profits are invited to hold fundraisers there.

“We get a lot of reunions and birthdays, we’ve had weddings there, so you can really do a lot of events there,” Sorn said.

Freeport is rich in other treats for visitors including  Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square, commemorating political debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. There’s also a restored  downtown veterans’ monument, plus a historic city hall and Carnegie library, both subjects of community debate over preservation and future uses.

And don’t forget a scoop of chocolate or a sundae at The Union Dairy, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor open from March through October.

For more information visit littlecubsfield.com. For more information on Freeport and Stephenson County tourism visit stephenson-county-il.org.