Concentric Embrace

Bernards Township, New Jersey is home to many daily commuters into New York City and tragically lost 25 community members in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  In 2004 community leaders and family members of those lost began plans for a place of remembrance to honor those victims.  Back to Nature offered to create a meaningful memorial space in an existing community park chosen by the township.

After meeting with township representatives and families of the victims, Back to Nature sought to capture the thoughts and words of all the participants into a single purposeful concept.  That concept was “embrace.” Back to Nature came up with a design plan that included two crescent shaped fieldstone walls set within a large bluestone plaza surrounded by a ring of large shade trees. One of the walls would provide seating for visitors while the other would hold a piece of steel from the World Trade Center site.  The effect of this design was to create a quiet and reflective space within a vibrant and active park.  The design was met with great acclaim and appreciation by those involved in the design. 

• Three concentric circles formed the main design feature of the new proposal:  an outer ring of clipped beech, a second ring of boxwood and the inner ring a stone-backed bench enclose the visitor inside the ‘sacred’ space. 
  
  
• A cast metal medallion with names of those lost from the town or related to someone from the town anchors the center of the memorial. 
  
  
• The outer beech ring also contains a steel beam salvaged from the World Trade Towers site and holds a commemorative plaque. 
  
  
• Names and messages of those who donated time or money to the memorial are engraved on the bluestone pavers surrounding the metal medallion.

In an emotional ceremony, the 9/11 memorial was dedicated on September 11, 2006.  Since that time, many township residents have visited this space to reflect and share the embrace of remembrance.