The Essential Workers Monument is a planned memorial in New York City, United States, commemorating key workers for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In June 2021, Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York state, announced that the memorial would be located in Battery Park City, along the waterfront with views of the Statue of Liberty.[1][2] The proposed $3 million "Circle of Heroes" design included 19 red maple trees around an "eternal flame".[3][2][4] The monument's location faced opposition due to the process and location; plans would have called for removing existing trees and covering grass with concrete for the pathway.[5][6] Protestors wanted to preserve the existing green space.[6][7] Cuomo planned to install the memorial in a different location.[8][4]
In July 2021, the Battery Park City Essential Workers Monument Advisory Committee was formed to help identify a new location. It comprises seventeen people representing various neighborhood constituencies as well as state officials and essential workers.[9]
In September 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul expressed interest in completing the memorial.[10]