Durham, NH — May, 2025 — The Rotary Club of Durham-Great Bay is proud to announce the successful launch of the new O-Zone Garden, a collaborative community initiative designed to promote sustainability, education, and service.
In partnership with the University of New Hampshire’s Women’s and Men’s Hockey Teams and the Durham Public Library, the Rotary Club coordinated a team who built a series of raised garden beds at the O-Zone site based on the vision and direction of the Durham Public Library Team. The garden features materials donated by the Rotary Club, including lumber and hardware for raised beds, potting benches, and sitting benches—creating a vibrant space for both learning and relaxation.
The project was further enriched by a special donation of seeds from a NASA-sponsored gardening kit, offering a unique educational opportunity that connects space science with sustainability on Earth. The initiative reflects Rotary’s commitment to supporting youth, education, and environmental stewardship.
Rotary members worked side-by-side with UNH athletes to construct the garden beds, fill them with soil, and prepare them for planting. Together, they built benches to support ongoing gardening activities and offer a welcoming gathering space for library programs and community engagement.
“This garden is a testament to what community partnership can accomplish,” said Will Lenharth, Rotary Club Secretary. “We’re thrilled to work with UNH students and our local library to create something that will grow food, curiosity, and community spirit for years to come.”
The O-Zone Garden will serve as an ongoing resource for library-led programs, school visits, and hands-on sustainability learning. It also stands as a model of how service organizations, educational institutions, and local partners can come together to sow seeds of positive change.
