PBCA has been working hard to renovate and improve our 9/11 Memorial Gateway Park. The ultimate goal is to greatly improve usability, access, and sustainable plan for water and erosion. We also want to make this pocket park a destination that tells the story of our great Penn Branch neighborhood and memorializes those D.C. residents who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on the September 11, 2001.

Penn Branch Community Association is asking for your support to help us improve 9/11 Memorial Park. Our goal is to beautify this gateway to our neighborhood by covering the main surface area (along Carpenter Street SE) with memorial pavers.

DONATE YOUR PAVER

Donate a personalized paver in honor of your Penn Branch Family, Ward 7 organization, or a beloved neighbor.

4″ x 8″ | $150.00
*3 lines personalized text
*Up to 20 characters per line

8″ x 8″ | $200.00
*For military service families, elected, public servants, and non-profits

*6 lines personalized text
Up to 20 characters per line

TO MAKE YOUR DONATION :
Donate.Brickmarkers.com/pennbranchdc

Donate.Brickmarkers.com/pennbranchdc

DC Residents who lost their lives on 9/11

• David Charlebois Washington DC ,first Officer
• Bernard Curtis Brown 11,student Leckie Elementary School
• Sarah Clark 65,Columbia Md, sixth grade teacher ,Bertie Backus Middle School ,DC
• Asia Cotton 11 student, Backus Middle School DC
• James Debeuneure 58,Upper Marlboro MD fifth grade teacher, Ketcham Elementary School
• Rodney Dickens11 student Ketcham Elementary School ,DC
• James Joe Ferguson 39,Washington,education outreach director National Geographic Society
• Ian Gray 55,Washington President of health care consulting firm
• Karen A. Kincaid 40 attorney, Wiley Rein & Fielding ,DC
• Hilda E. Taylor sixth grade teacher at Leckie Elementary School. DC
• Carolyn B Halmon  49, Washington DC
• Brenda Kegler 49 Washington, DC
• Major Ronald D. Milam  33 Washington DC., US Army
• Edna L Stephens 53,Washington DC
• Johnnie Doctor, Jr., Washington DC
• Paul Ambrose 32 ,Washington, DC
• Major Ronald D. Milam 33 Washington ,DC

DESIGN CONCEPTS

PHASE I: Infrastructure, Design Improvements

Installation of electrical power, energy efficient LED lighting for the main sign, and community-approved plans for the redesign of the main area to expand the common areas and restore all pathways (80% Hardscaping). 

Also; to update and restore primary park signs and memorial plaques bearing the names of DC residents who lost their lives on 9/11.

PHASE II: Improved Gardening and Installation of Hardscaping (Memorial Pavers)

Leveling main area; Small Retaining Wall; Widen and restore all wood framing around steps and pathways

Our second phase efforts centered around making the pocket park a functioning town square or gathering space for the neighborhood. This includes wider walking paths and improving the grading of the severely sloped landscaping . 

The expanding redesign/ landscaping will create a defined memorial garden area and the addition of a (3.5ft high) retaining wall that runs horizontally through the park, parallel with the 3100 Block of O Street ST SE) to level the primary surface area.  All wood framing around walking paths and steps were replaced at the front entrance/ sign area (facing Penn Ave SE), and as well as other areas in the 9/11 Memorial Park in an effort to preserve the integrity of the landscape from erosion.

Resurfacing /Restoration of Pathways

Restoration of pathways and expanding the primary surface areas (80% Hardscaping/20%  Memorial Garden), increasing the capacity for public gatherings and improving overall accessibility to the park from Carpenter Street and O Street SE entrances.