NEW YORK, N.Y. — A simple question posed by the bishop during ward council meeting led to a project that earned respect for the Church and beautified the Twin Towers Memorial Gardens, a site along the East River waterfront in New York.

Photo by Travis Stratford

Sister missionaries Maci Graham, in red, and Tawni Jaco join in toilsome task of weeding flower beds at Twin Towers Memorial Garden.

Photo by Travis Stratford

One hundred twenty missionaries from many countries donated 1,000 hours of labor digging weeds grown out of control in a site along the East River waterfront in New York. The garden was created to remember victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"Then-Bishop Chris Williams asked what the Park Slope Ward, Brooklyn New York Stake, might do for a community service project," said Travis Stratford.

Remembering a neglected garden spot along the river that he passes each day while riding his bicycle across the Brooklyn Bridge to work in Manhattan, Brother Stratford suggested improving the Twin Towers Memorial Gardens.

The gardens were originally planted in tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Located directly across the river from Wall Street, the gardens are ideally situated in line with the site of the twin towers.

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, an organization dedicated to improving the waterfront from the industrial sites of the past into beautiful parks and gardens of nature, assumed responsibility for the gardens after they were created. But because of limited funding and other projects, the gardens were neglected and soon overrun with a feisty weed called mugwort.

After receiving permission from the BBPC to improve the property, the Park Slope Ward raised sizeable donations from an international beauty company; Amy and Brian Barker, philanthropic members of the Church from the Washington D.C., area, and the local Brooklyn Bank.

Beginning in March, members of the ward gathered each Saturday morning for about three hours. Through the spring and summer they worked, mowing grasses around the perimeter, preparing flower beds and planting seedlings of natural grasses, in preparation for the annual memorial commemoration held on Sept. 11.

Missionaries from the New York New York South Mission also joined the cause. Those serving in Brooklyn and Staten Island applied their three weekly hours of community service toward the project.

By project's end, an estimated 120 elder and sister missionaries representing many countries around the world had donated more than 1,000 hours of labor, drawing enthusiastic appreciation from the BBPC and other community volunteers who assisted at the invitation of members.

Using nothing more than shovels and hand tools, members and missionaries dug and clawed two large Twin Tower garden beds. Forming two lines across the garden beds, the first wave of missionaries began by breaking the ground with shovels, followed by a second wave of missionaries on their hands and knees yanking each weed by the roots.

"Anyone who worked with the missionaries thought they were the greatest ever," said Brother Stratford.

"People said we represented our religion well, and that it was good to see a religion involved in community concerns," said Elder Skyler Nelson of Gilbert, Ariz., who directed the missionary effort. "Others commended us for our diligence and integrity to complete such a project."

Beach grass seedlings planted in early summer have now grown to nearly 6 feet. Looking from the Brooklyn Promenade, spectators enjoy a peaceful scene of waving grasses with the New York cityscape looming in the background.

Representatives of the BBPC expressed their appreciation to members and missionaries during special commemorative services Sept. 11.

"This project has been effective for us as a ward," said Brother Stratford. "Because of the project, missionaries have gained respect in a community that is mistrustful, and the Church has gained respect. While planting seedlings the missionaries also planted seeds. Some (people) said they would come visit our meetinghouse someday."

The value of the project, said President Jeffrey R. Morrow of the New York South mission, is that the missionaries have come to feel they are part of the community, and becoming part of a community helps them love the people they serve. As their love increases, so does their ability to teach and understand, helping them find people willing to commit.

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