Tribute Park Reflection And Memory

By Dan Guarino

Photo by Michael SchorIt has been 13 years since the Twin Towers burned and fell. Hundreds of people in Broad Channel and Rockawaywitnessed what few believed could be true.

But in this community, the losses of September 11, 2001 struck an even deeper chord.

These were men and women who worked at the World Trade Center and were lost and first responders who rushed in to save whoever they could, and did not come back.On that day, some 70 to 100 of its residents and persons related to residents- sons, daughters, friends, fathers, mothers and neighbors all- died.

On Nov. 6, 2005, Tribute Park, which rests just at the edge of Jamaica Bay at the end of Beach 116th Street, was solemnly dedicated to their memory.

As they have done each year since then, the Friends of Tribute Park and others will mark this September 11 with a ceremony at the park. At 8:30 a.m. an FDNY bagpiper will join them as they will raise the flag up and into the Rockaway breeze.

They will then read the name of each of Rockaway’s lost, and place a flower beneath the park’s stained glass cupola dome. There will be no speeches, only the roll call of names.

At 6 p.m. the reading of the names and the lowering of the flag will take place.

“It can be quite moving,” Friends of Tribute Park’s Bernie Warnock said simply.

According to the group, a 501c non-profit dedicated to supporting and maintaining the site, the park was “created to serve as a tribute, not a memorial, to those Rockaway residents who died in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The intention was to provide a place where community members can reflect on their lost loved ones and find comfort to move on with their lives.”

The spot was picked in part because of its tranquil surroundings, which directly overlook the spot where the Towers once stood and where they went down.

Photos by Michael SchorThe half-acre park features paths where the names ofRockaway’s 9/11 victims are inscribed, benches for sitting, a several memorial spaces and a gazebo-like structure topped by a unique stained glass copula.

Known as The Heavens Over Rockaway, the dome was created by Rockaway artist Patrick Clark. Clark, assisted by artists Izabella Slobodoff and Roman Slobodoff, also created the park’s firemen’s memorial.

A large boulder, on which rests a carved fireman’s helmet, it features a plaque with names of all ofRockaway’s firefighters who answered the final call on 9/11.

Note public garden designer Lynden B. Miller developed Tribute Park’s design and Nadia Murphy created the landscaping plan.

The park itself is part of the NYC Parks system. “The Parks Department supplies a lot of help, workers and material,” Warnock said.

“It’s a good partnership we have,” he noted, a sentiment echoed by NYC

Parks Rockaway administrator Jill Weber.

Friends of Tribute Park volunteers help keep up the park, plant flowers and greenery, add to its features and raise money to maintain it.

As an example, Warnock noted “years ago we brought in the steel from the World Trade Center.”

“Councilman Eric Ulrich and Assemblymember Phil Goldfeder have been very supportive,” he said. “They will be there at the ceremony and each will read some of the names.”

Like all of Rockaway and Broad Channel, Tribute Park was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012.

“The park sustained terrible damage from Sandy,” Nadia Murphy reflected in September, 2013. Murphy, who served on the board of Friends of Tribute Park said. “The brick paths were in upheaval, the irrigation and electric systems were destroyed and 85 percent of the plant material was lost,” she said. “

The Wave reported “The park was left covered in garbage, the trees and plants were torn apart and the tribute bricks were ripped up from the ground and remained scattered around the area following Sandy.”

Yet by June of 2013, bricks had been replaced, paths reset, new plants, flower and trees were brought in and the park was reopened.

“It’s amazing how they brought it back so beautiful again,” said Gail Allen, whose son, firefighter Richie Allen, died on 9/11.

Still working to rebuild even now, Warnock commented. “We’re still short on electricity this year.”

The park continues to generate strong community support. “Last year the children (of PS 114) donated a couple of hundred dollars to the park. With some teachers, the children made an American flag out of red, white and blue beads. They sold the individual beads and raised the money.”

“We had a nice event where they presented the check.”

Anyone who would like to get involved with donations or volunteer work can check outwww.rockawaytributepark.org.

There are also photos and stories about Tribute Park through the years and upcoming events there. A bulletin board at the park also announces news and events.

Speaking about September 11, this year, 13 years to the day from the World Trade Center attacks and nearly two years away from Hurricane Sandy, Warnock said, “It happens to be a particularly hard one.”

“Sandy was difficult,” he commented. “But,” he continued, “we’re thankful that the park is up and running.”

For Rockaway and Broad Channel the memory of the lives it is dedicated to still stands
.