The Hilliard community’s gathering place for remembering those who sacrificed and served on 9/11 is undergoing a renovation this spring.
First Responders Park, located at the corner of Main and Center streets in Downtown Hilliard, will be closed to the public beginning the last week of April. Work is expected to be completed this summer.
The park memorial features granite walls inscribed with the names of those who lost their lives, a reflecting pool, personalized pavers, a monument honoring fallen officers, and a metal sculpture made from the steel of the World Trade Center.
In 2010, a delegation of 20 individuals representing the City of Hilliard Division of Police, Norwich Township Fire Department, and the Hilliard community made the two-day round-trip from Hilliard to New York City to escort home seven tons of steel from the World Trade Center for the site.
“The park has served the city well; however, the weather and ultraviolet light has deteriorated the concrete, lighting and fountains,” said Michael Lentz, City Landscape Architect.
Renovations will include:
- Replacing all concrete pavement
- Repainting stenciled pavers and bluestone
- Replacing all lighting (ground, step and up lights)
- Repairing supports for the trellis
- Adding a roof and replacing the gate for the mechanical enclosure
- Cleaning all granite surfaces, spray nozzles and plaques
- Adding lettering to the wall of the center fountain
All monuments, artwork, and granite walls will remain in the park.
The park serves as a gathering place for somber reflection during memorial services hosted by the City on the anniversaries of 9/11 and Peace Officers Memorial Day in May.
The City received $800,500 in funding from the State of Ohio’s One Time Strategic Community Investment Fund to support the renovation of the park. The grant was sponsored by former State Sen. Stephanie Kunze.
The City will rededicate the park on Sept. 11, 2025. Learn more about the symbolism in the park here. See a video about its history here.
