The Westport Library will hold a special dedication ceremony on Thursday, September 26, to honor Julie and Rob Haroun for their charitable investment in improving and maintaining the landscaping around the Library.
The ceremony will be held from 4 to 5:30 pm on the Library’s Riverwalk Level. A plaque recognizing the Harouns has been placed at the front of the building, near the police parking lot.
Among the many improvements are a new irrigation system and new plantings along Jesup Green, the Riverwalk path to Library, and the hill below the café deck, with plans to maintain these areas moving forward.
“Julie and Rob have always been great friends of the Library, and throughout my tenure, I’ve appreciated their advice, counsel, and enduring support,” said Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer. “This gift is truly special. It ensures that the grounds around the Library are representative of the world-class, five-star Library we endeavor to be every day. We couldn’t be more appreciative of their donation and how it will benefit our shared community for years to come.”
Julie and Rob Haroun
The Harouns worked diligently to see the project through to completion, coordinating with town officials and the Library to ensure all regulations were in full compliance.
Outdoor Design and Living was commissioned to execute the makeover, completing the work at a discount as a generous donation to the Library.
“Having worked as a real estate developer for over 30 years, primarily focusing on properties in Westport, I was intent on ensuring that the exterior of the building was properly landscaped to reflect the first-class facility that we all enjoy in this town,” said Rob Haroun, who served as a member of the Library Board of Trustees from 2016 to 2023.
“We are confident that these funds will cover the maintenance for the next five to 10 years. We have lived in town since 1992, raised three children, and have built a business in town. It is our way of giving back to an institution that is near and dear to our hearts.”
