On initial climb the airplane's landing gear failed to fully retract. Several attempts made by the pilot to lower the landing gear, including the use of the emergency landing gear system, were unsuccessful. The pilot returned to the airport and land in the grass parallel to the runway. Without properly configured gear, the airplane's firewall was damaged during the landing. Responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors discovered the wire cables which operate the landing gear were insufficiently lubricated during the previous annual inspection which was accomplished 18 days prior to the accident.