The park , formerly called Liberty Plaza Park , was created in 1968 by Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel in return for a height bonus for an adjacent building at the time of its construction . The U.S. Steel Building , which replaced the demolished Singer Building , is now known as One Liberty Plaza . The park was one of the few open spaces with tables and seats in the Financial District . Located one block from the World Trade Center , it was covered with debris , and subsequently used as a staging area for the recovery efforts after the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11 , 2001 . As part of the Lower Manhattan rebuilding efforts , the park was regraded , trees were planted , and the tables and seating restored
destruction
September 11 attacks
Zuccotti Park