daniel collins July 27, 2008 11:55:47 (EDT)

These photos bring back wonderful memories of my favorite place to visit as a child my father would always give the ostrich a Penny loved to ride the train and watch the elephant show,these phots of the park in its present state are all too depressing

scott s. July 25, 2008 00:45:55 (EDT)

Bensons animal farm - Where do I start, The elephants walking to the pond to wash off, bear and tiger show, my favorite was the bee house where the walls were plexiglass and you could see all the bees working, i remember field trips there and still have pics of me riding a big turtle. Gone but... (more)

lioness July 24, 2008 13:24:38 (EDT)

hi, Mike and others I don't see you as being confrontational, no worries from what I know the Benson's committee (Esther is chair) decided not to meet any more until something tangible happened, so hang in there...I'd even suggest putting your name in again in case it got lost. It used to be... (more)

Mike July 24, 2008 09:13:02 (EDT)

Lioness, You are 100% correct in everything you said. There are many stipulations in the deed and that is PART of what has held this up. Hence my contention that the state is partly at fault. However, the town is also partly at fault in dragging their feet. Hence my contention that the town is... (more)

lioness July 23, 2008 21:26:37 (EDT)

BTW, I saw postings mentioning a Sr. center... They (the Seniors) said that location is too far out to locate a SR. center, although the Red Barn which was burned down (arson) could be rebuilt, as long as footprint kept same... the real problem with putting a senior center there would be the... (more)

lioness July 23, 2008 21:18:45 (EDT)

I have read the draft deed and the memorandum of agreement with the State. The Town is not holding things up, the State (DOT) is and has been. One problem was when a company the State hired to do some work on site dumped stuff on the property, causing a hazard, and they had to go to court to get... (more)

steve (webmaster) July 23, 2008 14:00:37 (EDT)

Here are a couple of 1930s-era photos of Benson's from Margaret Pearce. Thanks, Maggie. She writes: "Here are the pictures of my Grandfather, Lew Dean, when he worked at Bensons. The top one is in front of the Maze." (more)

Linda July 21, 2008 10:05:23 (EDT)

I remember taking my son there. He loved it and so did I. I found it to be well kept. It will be missed. I'm glad I check on the web site, because I wanted to take my grandson on his 2nd birthday in Aug. Oh well, I will find some place else to take him.

Maggie July 21, 2008 09:06:19 (EDT)

I have a couple of pictures of my Grandpa, Lew Dean, when he worked at Benson's in the early 30's. How do I send it to you so you can add it to the site?

Mike July 20, 2008 20:46:17 (EDT)

Hey Shaun, I agree the asbestos has always been a concern. Here is a quote from the Nashua Telegraph article published April 30th. A lawsuit against a contractor for dumping asbestos on the property and environmental cleanups also delayed the transfer. The state Department of... (more)

shaun July 20, 2008 20:07:01 (EDT)

what will they do with all the asbestos? I went there when i was seven Im thirty now cant really remember it but would like to see something useful done with the property

Mike July 19, 2008 16:53:50 (EDT)

I also would like to thank Gina for her great work. Please keep it up so people can keep track of where things are going. I have to comment, once again, on the statement(s) of the board of selectmen. According to the HLN article Mr. Massey proclaimed "that the state has no right to demand more... (more)

Case Rocker, Washington DC July 19, 2008 04:03:46 (EDT)

Preserving the buildings should not be an issue. Dane Cook gave "Benson's Animal Farm" all the publicity it needs to make the money back for the town if they turn it back into a park. (Which is what they should do) NH is slowly losing the attractions that put it on the map. Travel to any of the... (more)

steve (webmaster) July 18, 2008 19:50:45 (EDT)

Read Gina Votour's latest article about Benson's that was published today in the Hudson/Litchfield News.

Scroll about halfway down the page, it is the third article down.

Thanks, Gina, for all your work.

jodie provencher July 17, 2008 13:35:20 (EDT)

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU , All of you who are passionate about preserving this unforgettable place it means the world to me . It is so refreshing to see sooo many people whose lives, in one way or another were touched by this place, its animals, its employees, and guests, but most importantly... (more)

Mike July 16, 2008 13:07:49 (EDT)

Yeah, let's see if the board finally steps up and does the right thing. I totally understand every one of the boards concerns with taking possession of this property. However, there are ways to ease every single one of the concerns. The barn, as mentioned, could become a senior citizens center, it... (more)

Bob July 14, 2008 09:00:17 (EDT)

An Article in todays Nashua Telegraph 7.14.08 says that the Hudson board of Selectmen has agreed to the terms of the deed forwarded to them from the sate for purchase of the Benson property. They have had this Deed since 2002 and have played go around with the state since that time. Although not... (more)

Chainz Shultz July 13, 2008 11:07:45 (EDT)

I am sitting here watching the town meeting with our council discussing the deed for the Bensons property.It is still at 188thousand for 165 acres.The hold ups to the purchase are wet land mitigaton and preservation requirements to the buildings.Like I keep saying its the deal of a lifetime,BUY... (more)

Carey July 11, 2008 21:42:53 (EDT)

I am crushed to learn the park has closed. I am from ME but live in GA, we are leaving today for a vacation in ME I wanted to take my two year old son to the park that my grandparents took me to each summer in the 70's and early 80's. I am so sad, guess I will hold the memories and pictures much... (more)