"Obviously with all my time in office to date, that day, Sept. 11, 2001, is one day that will always stand out, and that I shall never forget. I was able to see the towers burning and going down," said Mayor James Cassella about East Rutherford’s view of the city during that day. "I hope people in future generations will understand what our community went through on that day, which was just a normal day as people were going about what they did, not ever knowing that they would never come home."

The spot chosen for the 9/11 Memorial Park was at one time a perfect spot to view the World Trade Center when it towered over the Manhattan skyline. The park will also serve as a gateway to the community due to its close proximity to the train and bus.

"In years to come, for myself to be able to go back to the new park, will always bring back memories of people that I knew who were lost in the attacks. I can sit there and remember my friends with the positive thoughts that I have for them," said Cassella. The men lost from East Rutherford was fireman Dennis Taormina, Keith James Burns and Luigi Calvi.

The park is being constructed with funds set aside for the town's Streetscape development, which has also included refurbishment of roads, sidewalks, crosswalks, street lighting and the overhauling of other public amenities.

"It was always a small community park which was more of a place for seniors to gather, before a doctor's appointment or before catching a train," said Deputy Police Chief Larry Minda. "The change to a 9/11 park is a wonderful thing, serving as a remembrance park right next to the train station, and really only a few blocks from where so many locals stood to see the Twin Towers under attack and burning. As everyone tried to get a grasp of the events as they were unfolding, they gathered there at the location of the new park to see the smoke and flames rising from the Twin Towers".

The new park, once completed, shall offer much to the visitor as a befitting memorial park. It's quiet, apart from the occasional train or private jet passing overhead, and the perfect setting to look out towards Manhattan's skyline, and shed a tear or two.

"There is a beautiful memorial fountain being installed in the new park, the waters of which will run continuously, together with a permanent gazebo, and various 'sitting' walls situated throughout," said Borough Finance Chairman Edward Ravettine.

"If you look at the corner of the new park, just beside the railroad tracks, you will see that there are two empty spots, or gaps, in the front wall. If you sit in the park, and look down along Union Avenue towards Manhattan, those two gaps, which will be lit up from beneath, shall now represent the lost Twin Towers," said Ravettine.

Opposite the 9/11 park, and on an island divide that splits traffic lanes on Park Avenue, there stands an East Rutherford street lamp and clock, which was erected last year. Once again calling the onlooker to spare a thought and a prayer for the dead of 9/11, the clock's face reads: " Take Time To Remember September 11, 2001."

"We should never forget the tragedy that struck our country that day, and how important it is too keep our country, children, and families safe," said Ravettine.

Construction of the new East Rutherford 9/11 Memorial Park initially went out to bid several times, before a suitable contractor was found. The final projection in costs for the completion of the new park, which is being conducted by Let It Grow Inc. of River Edge, and other works included in the Streetscape series of projects is said to be approximately $405,000. A $100,000 grant from the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, together with Community Development monies has paid for the town's Streetscape Project.

"We have received grants amounting to approximately $500,000 for the downtown Streetscape Project, of which we have completed phase one and two," said Ravettine.