City renames ballfield in memory of teen

Upper Gretna Green ballfield will now be known as the Evan McFarlane Field

The upper Gretna Green ballfield was renamed the Evan McFarlane Field on Wednesday in memory of Evan McFarlane (inset, top right), who died in 2022. Evan’s family members at the dedication ceremony included, but weren’t limited to, his father Jeff McFarlane, left, sister Maya McFarlane, and mother Tianna McFarlane. (Photo: Northumberland Free Press)

MIRAMICHI • The city has renamed one of its ballfields in the former village of Douglastown in memory of a local teen who frequently played there and died tragically two years ago.

The upper Gretna Green ballfield — immediately south of the Gretna Green School — was officially renamed the Evan McFarlane Field in a dedication ceremony on Wednesday before a large crowd of Evan’s family, friends, and local dignitaries.

Evan’s name and a logo resembling a baseball and hockey puck and depicting his number 11 are now enshrined on a sign unveiled by his loved ones and peers during the ceremony. The sign bears the city logo and reads “Evan McFarlane Field” and “Gretna Green Fields” and is displayed on the left-hand side of the entrance to the ballfields.

Evan’s mother, Tianna McFarlane, said her family appreciated the large turnout at the ceremony and was touched by council’s decision to rename the field after her son.

“I had no idea this was happening,” she said. “Evan spent a lot of time here for baseball games and practices. This is such a fitting way to honour him.”