Pennsylvania's 9/11 Memorial
The Garden of Reflection
Twin fountains rising from a quiet Lower Makefield park — the Commonwealth's official September 11 memorial.
The Garden of Reflection is Pennsylvania's official memorial to the victims of September 11, 2001. It stands in Memorial Park in Lower Makefield Township, minutes from Yardley Borough, in a community that lost neighbors that day — the memorial honors all who were lost, with particular tenderness for the Bucks County families who drive past it daily.
The design centers on twin fountains rising from the footprint-inspired ground, ringed by names, flowering trees, and walking paths. It was conceived and built largely by local families and volunteers, and it remains a place of genuine quiet — visited on anniversaries by thousands, and on ordinary mornings by walkers who pause without planning to.
Official website ↗History & Landmarks
Visiting the memorial
The garden rewards unhurried visits. The twin fountains anchor the design, and the path around them passes inscribed names, a piece of steel from the World Trade Center site, and plantings chosen to bloom through the seasons. The surrounding Memorial Park adds fields, playgrounds, and walking loops, so remembrance and everyday community life share the same ground — by design.
Visitors come from across the state, but the memorial's scale stays human. It asks for a few quiet minutes, not an itinerary.
History & Landmarks
Why it is here
Lower Makefield and the surrounding communities — commuter towns with deep ties to Manhattan's financial world — were among the hardest hit in Pennsylvania on September 11. The memorial grew from those local families' determination that remembrance be rooted where the loss was lived.
The Commonwealth designated it Pennsylvania's official 9/11 memorial, and each September the anniversary observance draws families, first responders, and neighbors. The rest of the year, its quiet presence says what needs saying.
Questions People Ask
The Garden of Reflection — frequently asked questions
What is the Garden of Reflection?
The Garden of Reflection is Pennsylvania's official memorial to the victims of September 11, 2001, located in Memorial Park in Lower Makefield Township, near Yardley in Bucks County. Its design centers on twin illuminated fountains surrounded by inscribed names and reflective gardens.
Where is the Garden of Reflection located?
In Memorial Park on Woodside Road in Lower Makefield Township, PA, a few minutes from Yardley Borough and about ten minutes from I-295.
Can anyone visit the Garden of Reflection?
Yes. The memorial is open to the public within Memorial Park, and visitors are welcome year-round during park hours. Annual observances are held each September 11.
Why is Pennsylvania's 9/11 memorial in Bucks County?
The Yardley and Lower Makefield area lost multiple residents on September 11, 2001 — among the most of any Pennsylvania community — and local families led the effort to build the memorial. The Commonwealth later designated it Pennsylvania's official September 11 memorial.
Want The Garden of Reflection in your daily life?
I help buyers land in Yardley and the neighborhoods around it — and I know which streets put places like this in your weekly routine.
