Purpose: According to the project description, "The original proposal to dedicate a ball field restoration project to the memory of the events of September 11th expressed the community’s need to begin a healing process. Recognizing the need for the children in the community to express their emotions about the terrorist attack, East Islip Schools Superintendent Capozzi requested that the project be student driven, from design to completion. The memorial will thus provide the children with vehicles to express their feelings and emotions about the tragedy of September 11, 2001, as well as creating a special place that will tell the story of September 11 and the world's reaction to the tragedy, as told through the hearts and souls of East Islip students....This will be a place where these students can return, years from now with their children, to share with them what happened on September 11, 2001 and how it affected the world. Elements of the Memorial will be reflective of the students' expressions of emotion. An environment will be created that will honor heroes, mourn for the lives that were lost, and offer hope and healing for the future. The memorial also offers students a unique opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom to a real life project...and to help foster a stronger understanding of the meaning of community."

Reason site was selected: Memorial coordinator Glen Herbst noted, "It became apparent that the memorial was NOT going to be a 'structure based memorial' but rather, it will be 'an environment' that tells the story of Sept. 11, 2001....The involvement of the students has propelled the vision and scope of the Memorial well beyond the initial proposal of a small memorial garden adjacent to this ball field. The 9-11 memorial has now taken on a life of its own, and the memorial location was subsequently moved to the NW corner of Timber Point Elementary School to allow for maximum access, parking, and proximity to utilities."

Events planned for site: Students are completely involved in the participatory evolution of this memorial, working with architects, landscape architects, designers, masons, engineers, teachers, staff, and other volunteers. Every two weeks, students meet with these experts to discuss concepts, as well as using architecture and art skills towards the memorial. It is an evolving project still very much in the planning phase.