Jim Maroon has spent more than a decade maintaining the reflecting pools at the National September 11 Memorial in New York City, a role he describes as both an honor and a heavy responsibility. Since 2012, five nights a week from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., Maroon dons a rubber wading suit to clean the pools that occupy the footprints of the fallen Twin Towers.
Each of the two pools spans about an acre and plunges 30 feet below street level, featuring a square void at their centers that extends roughly 20 feet further down. The waterfalls cascading down their black granite sides are the largest man-made in North America. Maroon’s nightly routine involves methodically vacuuming the pools’ surfaces—each pool requiring 44 passes in one direction and 44 back—while a colleague brushes behind and another operates the vacuum pump.
The quiet, solitary work allows Maroon to focus deeply on the task; he appreciates working independently and finds a particular solace in the solitude. For him, the site holds personal significance: his father worked at the World Trade Center, and Maroon himself was nearby as the attacks unfolded on September 11, 2001. Though he tries to avoid dwelling on the tragedy, the memorial’s engraved names and the anniversary inevitably prompt reflection.
Keeping the pools clear involves more than removing debris. In addition to leaves from the memorial park’s approximately 400 trees, Maroon often clears away coins, soda cans, children’s toys, and occasionally lost items such as cameras. To combat algae buildup—an issue highlighted this summer by challenges at another national memorial—chemical treatments with bromine algicide are applied regularly, supplemented by Maroon’s manual cleaning.
Among the more unusual finds was a turtle about the size of a lunchbox, which staff members named Lucky and provided a home in their offices. Maroon speculated the animal may have been dropped into the water by a bird.
Despite the physical demands, Maroon cites the repetitive nature of the work as the greatest challenge. “It’s not the first time you do the pool,” he said. “It’s when you do it 1,000 times.” Still, he remains committed to the role, expressing no intention to leave unless health issues force retirement.
As dawn approaches and visitors begin arriving, the pools’ still waters reflect the morning light—meticulously maintained by Maroon’s unseen efforts during the night. Though seldom recognized by those who come to pay their respects, his work is an integral part of the memorial experience, ensuring the site remains a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives.