Can Durham Find Balance?

Durham's primary strength is its amazing mix of educational and recreational opportunities. UNH and the Oyster River School System help attract families, undergraduates students, graduate students, professionals, and retirees. With this diverse group, it is a challenge to preserve the spaces we value, develop commercial spaces to meet our needs, and stabilize our costs.

Preserving What We Value

Durham has some incredible town-owned land. Wagon Hill Farm, The Oyster River Forest, Doe Farm, and The Sweet Trail are all a short distance from most neighborhoods. When the Town accepted responsibility to conserve these properties, it also accepted the obligation to maintain them.

Through the efforts of the Conservation Commission and the Land Stewardship Committee, the Town hired Ellen Snyder as Land Stewardship Coordinator. She has worked to develop a management plan for our properties and is using volunteers to build and maintain a trail network. Adequate funding for her position and the Public Works Department is necessary to protect our assets.

Developing Commercial Spaces to Meet our Needs

Former Durham Economic Development Director Mary Ellen Humphrey frequently talked about Durham's need to develop commercial spaces in appropriate areas. The addition of Harmony Homes at the former Durham Business Park, and the current construction of RiverWoods Durham exemplify this idea.

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