WASHINGTON (January, 2004) – Lee and Associates have begun work on a local memorial tree grove initiative planned to commemorate the events of September 11, 2001. The Kingman Island 9/11 Memorial Grove will be the centerpiece of a total of nine memorial groves to be created in the District of Columbia, partially funded by the U.S. Forest Service’s Living Memorials Project. The project is being implemented by a coalition led by Green Spaces for DC, a local non-profit that works in partnership with the District’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

Lee and Associates partnered with New York City’s Dirtworks to develop the winning concept, which was chosen following a multi-part competition that culminated in a public presentation of the top three designs. The jury included family members of September 11 victims, community representatives, landscape designers, planners and park managers.

On September 13, 2002, Mayor Anthony Williams officially dedicated the Kingman Island site, setting aside a 3.65-acre site for the largest of the city’s nine groves. This central grove will anchor the project, and establish the memorial as a place of national significance.

Barry Goodinson, Executive Director of Green Spaces for DC, said that the jury had its work cut out for it narrowing a highly innovative and competitive field. Ultimately what tipped the balance for the Lee/Dirtworks design was its combination of powerful tribute to 9/11 victims and a great sensitivity for the land on which the memorial will be built.

“It’s a wonderful design – ruminative, natural and flowing,” Goodinson said. “It allows each visitor to experience the grove – and the emotions the memorial will conjure – in his or her own way. The design provides opportunities for walking, pausing and reflecting. It’s just the kind of space that will promote an atmosphere of respect, contemplation and healing.”

The design divides the 3.65-acre grove into distinct sections or “rooms,” which includes a gently sloping meadow dotted with tall canopy trees and a forest of beech trees. There is also an area densely planted with flowering trees. The grove preserves existing wetlands areas, which visitors can traverse across a raised boardwalk. In addition, the memorial will include three “nodes,” discrete places set aside for visitors to be alone with their thoughts and feelings. Each node will be located to take advantage of very specific views – both inward and outward – and will be placed at intervals that allow for an easy stroll.

The eight neighborhood-based memorial groves will serve as “satellites” to the large center grove, reminding residents that the events of 9/11 profoundly affected the lives of the people who call the District home. Common design themes and signage will tie all nine groves together. Over the course of the next year, Lee and Associates will work with community groups in each ward to design groves appropriate to each location.

Green Spaces for DC solicited nominations for grove locations in each ward from neighborhood groups and friends-of-parks organizations. After reviewing the nominations and conducting site visits, a planning committee has selected the following locations for ward-based groves:

Ward 1. Marie Reed Education Center (18th Street & California Street, NW)
Ward 2. Park at New Jersey Avenue and O Street, NW
Ward 3 Tait Park (Western Ave, Ellicot & 48th Streets, NW)
Ward 4. Upshur Park (14th and Upshur Streets, NW)
Ward 5. Langdon Park (Franklin Street between 18th and 20th Streets, NE).
Ward 6. Historic Congressional Cemetery (18th and E Streets, SE)
Ward 7 Penn Branch Gateway Park (Carpenter & O Streets, SE)
Ward 8. Oxon Run Park (At the site of the new ARC buildings @ Mississippi Ave.)