The newly renovated softball fields and softball complex facilities at Warner Park will be showcased in a special dedication at 4 p.m. on Friday, followed by family fun activities, entertainment, food, rides, and this year’s Amateur Softball Association State Tournament.

The public is invited to join Mayor Ron Littlefield, two-time Women’s Softball Olympic Gold Medalist, Dr. Dorothy “Dot” Richardson, UTC Women’s Softball Coach Frank Reed, UT Women’s Softball Coach Ralph Weekly, National Softball Association President Hugh Cantrell, Amateur Softball Association State President Jimmy Ellis, and local city council representatives for the grand re-opening celebration.

The mayor will recognize key sponsors who have helped make the new complex possible as well as individuals who will recount the park’s unique history.

Activities for the afternoon celebration include costume characters, clowns, face-painting, inflatable play structures, music, free rides on the zoo’s new carousel, and the excitement of over 50 teams who will be playing on the new fields in a state tournament.

Dot Richardson will throw the first pitch at 6:30 p.m. to officially start the tournament that will continue through the weekend.

The new softball complex’s concession building will be dedicated in memory of Wilburn E. “Snooks” Nerren, whose 40 plus years with Parks & Recreation Department as the city’s renowned Softball Coordinator "officionado," is praised by generations of coaches, players, co-workers, and sports media professionals both locally and nationally. Mr. Nerren passed away in 2005, but the legacy of his love for Chattanooga’s youth, softball, and recreation will be remembered in the new building.

The grand opening celebration of the new championship softball facilities marks another milestone in the City’s commitment to returning Warner Park, one of Chattanooga’s oldest public parks and recreation centers, to its original prestige and grandeur.

According to Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department Administrator Larry Zehnder, “There is a great deal of city history in Warner Park. This property was purchased in the early 1900’s with family entertainment and leisure in mind. It has contained an amusement park, race track, skating rink, the zoo, swimming pool, tennis courts, arts center, and softball complexes to serve as a central point for family recreation in the city.”

“The park’s softball facilities have been the venues of choice for exciting softball competitions such as “Spring Fling”, SEC and Southern Conference Tournaments, and other major events that bring many visitors to our city as well as accommodating the numerous local youth and college programs,” said Greta Hayes, assistant director of Parks.

“Warner Park has been in need of an upgrade and renovation to meet the needs and interests of the 21st century! Now with the Zoo’s new entrance and expansion plans, the new state of the art softball facilities, extensive environmental features, and landscape improvements we have a wonderful park that will bring citizens and visitors for great sports play and family recreation again,” said Mr. Zehnder.