The 9/11 Memorial Glade is a dedicated space within the National September 11 Memorial plaza that memorializes the sacrifices made by the rescue & recovery workers, the relief community, survivors, and members of the broader Lower Manhattan community.

The Glade is designed to convey the struggle and loss caused by these individuals' exposure to toxins at Ground Zero, while recognizing the uplifting capacity of the human spirit by highlighting the courage, selflessness, and perseverance of those who worked there.

The design creates a new pathway through a beautiful, tranquil space that roughly mirrors the location of the main ramp used by the rescue and recovery workers through their herculean nine-month effort. Along the path, six large stone elements break the surface of the plaza and push their way up and out of the ground. They flank the path and define it, forming a series of gateways. These stones are rough and worn, and their angle suggests a forceful resistance. The path ends near the Survivor Tree, a beloved symbol of New York’s resilience.