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Mark Nelson
May 29, 2010 22:43:04 (EDT) |
Had a great time walking through the park today and matching current spots to old memories. So great to be able to be back in that space again. The volunteers have done an outstanding job with the site, and I think the new Benson Park is going to be a great destination for families and hikers to take a stroll. I know I'll definitely be back with others soon. Picked up a copy of Lynne's book, and I can't wait to dive into it. Mega-thanks to all who helped make the repurposing of Benson's happen!
Mark Nelson
May 29, 2010 22:05:51 (EDT) |
Had a great time walking through the park today and matching current spots to old memories. So great to be able to be back in that space again. The volunteers have done an outstanding job with the site, and I think the new Benson Park is going to be a great destination for families and hikers to take a stroll. I know I'll definitely be back with others soon. Picked up a copy of Lynne's book, and I can't wait to dive into it. Mega-thanks to all who helped make the repurposing of Benson's happen!
A small, but happy crowd walked through the park today. It is now officially open.
Bob
May 29, 2010 18:14:01 (EDT) |
Being a child in the 50's and living in MA our one great family summer adventure was going to Benson's. Going to NH was like going to the moon. We had no car and used to borrow my grandfather's Chevy. My mother was the only woman in the family who drove. My mother and aunt between them had nine children. I don't remember how many of us went but it must have been standing room only. There were no seat belts let alone seat belt laws and what was a child safety seat? How did we ever survive? My favorite animals were the elephants. I was fortunate enough to be able to bring my children to Benson's before it closed. It was wonderful to see them enjoy Benson's as much as I did when I was a child. I have some excellent photos of Benson's. Is there a map of the park layout as it used to be, so I can try to match the pictures to the old Benson's?
To: Steve, Just wonder if the totem pole and lion status be stored ? Some of friends asked.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Susan M.
Lisa M.
May 27, 2010 19:51:11 (EDT) |
I feel like this is deja vu...my family and I had been talking about Benson's the other day...so many wonderful memories. How does one become a volunteer and lend a hardworking hand to this wonderful venture? I'd love to be part of the cleanup/restoration efforts.
Curious
May 27, 2010 10:56:10 (EDT) |
I just found this site and also one for the Friends of Bensons. Why is there so much talk of volunteers on this site and their hard work. On the Friends of Bensons, there is no mention of volunteers only town workers and a small blip about the history. I thought Bensons had years of history. Just wondering. Good Luck.
Steve
May 26, 2010 11:53:44 (EDT) |
We made the cover of NHPR.org this week.
The Friends of Benson Park, a private, non-profit corporation, has plans to hold its first membership drive at the Benson Park opening Saturday, May 19. The Friends of Benson Park formed after discussions about funding. With the boundaries imposed by state law on town budgets, it was felt that a fund-raising arm that stood outside of those boundaries be formed. The Friends will provide a resource for people who want to donate money to be used for only for Benson Park support and improvement, but who do not wish to do so by donating directly through the Town’s general fund.
The Friends of Benson Park plan to collaborate with the Benson Park Committee, set up by selectmen. As part of that effort, the Friends plan to disburse funds for Benson Park projects only at the specific request of the Benson Park Committee. “This gives the town the best of both worlds,” said Friends of Benson Park President, Kenneth Matthews. “They can devote town tax dollars to the park or they can seek grants and the Friends will help raise private funds that can also be used. We want to work with the town to make the park the jewel that we think it can be.”
Anyone wishing to join the Friends can access their website at www. http://friendsofbenson.org/ or can stop by the Friends table on May 29 at the Benson Park Opening.
Jena
May 22, 2010 14:27:28 (EDT) |
Bret,Would you please drop me an email? I'm organizing a local (Nashua area) group for people to get together with their dogs - an extension of the Nashua Tweetup crowd - and would LOVE to have our first event at Benson's! I have faint memories of the place as a kid but still have a change purse that my grandfather gave me and a map of the place that I was able to pick up on eBay. :)
You can email me at jena(at)bluejena(dot)net and if you use Twitter, we're @NashuaBarkup.
I look forward to talking to you soon! :)
-Jena DiPinto
cheryl
May 21, 2010 14:48:41 (EDT) |
There's a picture on this website of the elephants having fun playing in the pond. The caregivers of the 80's seemed alot more in tune to what was best for the animals, unlike what was happening in the 60's and early 70's.I find comfort in that !
Bret
May 21, 2010 12:38:22 (EDT) |
Sure are a few 'angry' people writing into here lately. From what I know, recall and experienced - there was a very dedicated hard working staff working to care for the animals at Bensons. Enhancing exhibits, displays and eductional information was always an ongoing process. Though, never to anyones speedy satisfaction, it was an ongoing goal. This park closed nearly 23 years ago - get over it. Perhaps steer your anger and resentment in an alternate productive direction. You've insulted a lot of dedicated people you don't know, about a lot of things you don't know much about. I say, thumbs up to all of those former dedicated employees and a big thumbs up to the knew staff of volunteers doing such great things today.
Thank God Benson's Wild Animal Farm is no longer a zoo. I remember the elephants chained by their feet in a stark cement/concrete building rocking back and forth, back and forth.A sick sick way for us humans to entertain ourselves and to "educate" our children.
Yes thank you Harry. "Benson Park" passive recreational area is not open yet. For the upcoming clean up day on Sat the 22nd of May the entrance closer to Bush hill road will be the correct location for people to meet for the clean up and park in the available area or drive past the gate and park as directed. This as noted will be restricted handicapped parking starting Sat. May 29th when the park opens to the general public. The exact location numbers are being worked on since the use of the property has changed in the last 21 years. However google maps street views can differ depending on the angle viewed at.
Sorry for any confusion,
-Dana
The correct address for the park is currently 27 Kimball Hill Road. This is the handicapped parking area, but a new address will soon be issued for the general park entrance. For Saturday's Clean Up, the handicapped area will still be available for general parking. On May 29th, it will be restricted to handicapped only.
Have you made it to any of the " Benson Park " Clean up days?........ Don't miss your *last chance* before the park officially opens to the general public.
Join us at " Benson Park " passive day use recreational area at 24 Kimball Hill Road Hudson, NH.
Saturday the 22nd of May 2010 from 09:00-14:00(2pm).
Bring any landscaping tools you think may help, the bugs are out in the park so bring bug repellent/sun screen and wear clothing to protect from poison ivy if you are sensitive to it.
*NEW* Memories begin Sat. May 29th 2010.......
Don't forget to check out the park on Facebook :-)
cheryl
May 17, 2010 19:47:43 (EDT) |
Hi Noelle,DITTO !
Sam
May 17, 2010 19:08:36 (EDT) |
I work for a local hotel and I def have fond memories of visiting Benson's as a child. I am trying to keep tabs to see when Benson's will re-open so I can help promote it some where I work. We see lots of families with children passing through during the summer and they are always looking for fun things to do. Thanks for keeping the memories alive :-)
WANTED: YOUR CHILDHOOD PHOTOS OF BENSON'S ANIMAL FARM!
I am a writer for New Hampshire Magazine writing a tribute to Benson's and would love to hear from people who have funny stories and pictures from their childhood. Please contact me at darrengarnick@gmail.com as soon as possible (Latest Deadline: June 4, 2010)
Noelle
May 17, 2010 14:55:16 (EDT) |
Does anyone know what happened to these elephants? They all deserved to be at this sanctuary after Benson's closed. Even when I was little it upset me to see the way these animals were kept chained to the floors and other animals were kept in such small cages with nothing of interest there for them. It was really a bad, sad, time for animals. I believe Queenie (now deceased) and Liz are the two who live(d)at elephant heaven in TN. I'm happy to see Benson's is beautiful once again with NO chained or enclosed animals. Bravo to you and Bravo to The Elephant Sanctuary in Howenwald TN. www.elephants.com
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