Many memories of field trips to Bensons as a little boy. I would like to be part of the celebration the end of this month, but now live in Pennsylvania. I will be at Knoebels Amusement Park on the 26th and will take a ride on the Galleon pirate ship there to celebrate. The ship was bought by Knoebels from Bensons during the auction after it was closed. So, anytime you are near Elysburg, Pa stop by Knoebels and check it out. Does anyone know where any of the other rides ended up?

Thank you SO much to the volunteers who gave so much of themselves. When the politicos give their inevitable speeches, let's not forget who actually did the work.

The town and volunteers have done and ARE doing a fantastic job on the park. We regularly go for walks there and are always finding more areas cleared out and fixed up.

Kudos to all those putting time and effort there.

Very few of the animal cages from the old zoo & amusement park remain, and few buildings remain for that matter. However volunteers are still finding bases and remains from old cages/exhibits.

The gorilla house/cage is still standing and is being repaired, the elephant barn is in the park with a new roof and one cage still mostly there(NH-DOT removed many of the bars from it before the town purchased the park) that is about it. The wall from the old bear area is still there and has recently been re-painted by volunteer painters.

The new passive recreational park is a wonderful place to visit and relax.

are the animal cages currently still up?

Wow the park has made press again, sadly not in the best light. Make sure to leave comments there also.

http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_15911503?IADID=Search-www.lowellsun.com-www.lowellsun.com#ixzz0yC5ouvnW

http://www.hudsonnh.gov/boards/selectmen/members

Grand opening news of Benson Park:
The board of selectmen have decided unanimously against the Communications Sub-committee of the Benson Park advisory committee who is organizing the grand opening on Sept. 25th to have cake for all guest and only a small "fancy cake" for dignitaries as it will be too complex and costly to figure out how much cake to purchase or have donated.

HOWEVER the scouts offered to donated water/soda and that is still approved.

Mr. and Mrs. Provencher (last owners of the park) have also been be changed from " Guest of Honor " to " invited guest " by the board of selectmen with selectman Roger Coutu leading this motion and to have the commission of the NH DOT added as a " guest of honor " with unanimous select board approval.

Ref, Mark's post.
For more Info. on Disc Golf follow the link below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_golf

Can we put at Disc Golf Course in the park plans? I know I'm asking for plans pretty late. But it literally requires minimal start up costs (Trail making and Disc Golf Catchers on each "hole") and upkeep is virtually non existent. We could make it an activity for the Boy Scout troops, or even make it a nice volunteer plan! I know some of my friends and myself would love to help! There are only a few disc golf courses in the area (Dover, Pelham) and they are sub-par to the potential that Bensons has to create one. It would make a lot of outdoorsy people happy to make use of the woods by creating an activity field like this while also ravaging the natural beauty of the area and keeping wildlife safe and happy. I think it is an awesome idea! The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) is really picking up in the New England area, and it gives something fun and free for people of all ages to do! Thanks!

You will not see animals in cages, but you will see animals (deer, snakes, turtles, ground hogs,hawks,fish, cranes,ect.this is what my children and I have seen) some people have reported seeing a bald eagle. It is not the same park that we knew as kids , but to my children it is much better place. Please go to the park you will enjoy it and it is free. Lee

Wow...this is great! I can't wait to check it out!
I'm very happy that we can take our Pooches for a beautiful walk. Please everyone who walk you dogs...bring bags and clean up after them. Let's all do our part to keep the park clean and enjoyable for all!!!

Don't forget about the " Benson Park " grand opening celebration with cake and refreshments for all. We can't wait to see you at the greatest park the state has seen on Sat. September 25th @ 09:00, 23 Kimball Hill Rd Hudson NH 03051 USA.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135444989810257

Black Bear

‎"Silent Auction" for a prized map/poster of Benson's Wild Animal Farm in 1980 kindly donated by Arthur Provencher (the last owner of Benson's)) to the Friends of Benson Park at Hudson's Old Home Days' celebration this weekend. At present the bid stands at $60 and will continue until Sunday at 5PM. This could be yours - don't let it slip away. (Size - 23.5" x 35.5")

Does anyone remember the black bear that was at Bensons, early 80's? I remember going as a kid, I still have my souvenir bookmark, says Bensons Animal Park on the front and Bensons creed and dedication on the back. I think it came as part of the admission ticket. loved this place!

Benson's has had a lot of press lately!

Here's an article entitled Benson's Wild Animal Farm Revisited by Darren Garnick, at NHmnagazine.com.

Also this article Treasure Chest Thursday- Benson Park in Hudson, New Hampshire at the Nutfield Genealogy site.

there is not going to be any animals there?please e mail me back,without any animals why would they even bother????please e mail back i will be waiting for responce,thank you.rick c

Don't forget to come see The Friends of Benson Park at Hudson Old Home Days this week from Thurs. Aug 12th - Sunday Aug. 15th. We can't wait to have you stop by and learn what they great private non-profit company is doing for the future of Benson Park.

Louise,
Yes we have a public clean-up event sheduled this month for
the 21st of Aug. 2010 @ 09:00-14:30(2:30pm.
Become come a park volunteer E-mail " volunteer@bensonpark.org "
Below is quoted from the Benson Park Facebook page:

" We still need all the volunteers we can get for our next Benson Park cleanup day! The next scheduled cleanup is Saturday, August 21. Friends of Hudson dog park says that rakes, shovels, pruners, saws, or whatever you can bring to spruce up your beloved recreational area! "

Liz,
Below is something we have posted on the Benson Park page on FaceBook. Follow the link below to get a digital copy of the map that you can save an/or print. For the most up to date park details check in on the FaceBook page with over 5,800 fans.

No park map/trail guides at the park when you visited?
The park is having such high attendance they are going FAST.

*Please consider helping the park by clicking the link below to save/print your
own copy to bring while you re-visit Benson Park.*
http://www.hudsonrec.com/Portals/0/Park%20Brochure%20&%20Map.pdf