Joyce,
I'm glad to say I'm still alive:) 'Ruth' was sold in '77 I believe to a Massachusets carnival operator. She wasn't care for all that well. She and other animals in the menagerie didn't have the greatest care. They were all confiscated in 1985. Ruth has since been living at the Buttonwood Park Zoo, New Bedford, MA. She is doing very well from what I hear.

Hi,
Is Bret Bronson still alive? I'm interested in an elephant named Ruth who was at Benson's Animal Farm until about 1986 when she was sold to a traveling menagerie.

Shelley,
Check out www.malspals.org a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity has already been setup to creat something like what you mentioned but on a larger scale alone with a wonderful garden.

Check it out
-Dana

Benson's did not retire their elephants to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. When the park closed, Benson's elephants were auctioned off. Queenie was auctioned to a rental company that leased her out to circuses for the next 19 years. 19 years later she was released to sanctuary and it had nothing to do with Benson's park. Benson's had the option to retire their elephants and decided not to because of money.
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee has all the records for all of the Benson's elephants and will tell you their story directly if you want to know it.

Jennifer Wolf
Nashua, NH

To speak with The Elephant Sanctuary to hear the real story you can write to call them at: 27 E Main St Hohenwald, TN 38462/(931) 796-6500

email: elephant@elephants.com

Video Just Uploaded to youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPBqK_clnDw&feature=youtu.be

Nice new video of Liz. Good to see that she is still holding her own, despite her many challenges.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wtsNFpj0DSQ

Hello,
Has anyone offered to put up a gazebo on the grass field near swan lake? That would be gorgeous for wedding and engagement pictures.

Maybe we could start a fund?

My husband and I enjoy walking the trails so often. Thank you to everyone who has participated in making this park (which has so many found memories of when our children were small)a lovely place to be to enjoy the outdoors. One question, how does one go about donating a bench ?

I remember my visit to the elephant barn in the 50's as a small boy of 6. There was no real barrier between us and the towering beasts. The elephants were restrained only by chains, which were attached to their hind leg. I walked down a narrow hay covered path between the monsters. To me, they were a hundred feet tall.

Bruno the blind bear was at watchusett animal park in hubbardston, ma

To Richard-Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are very much allowed and encouraged! Enjoy!

I visited this park several times and have very good memories of it as a kid in the 70's.
With snow finally in the forecast I'm wondering if snowshoeing and cross country skiing are allowed on the new trails within the park

Can you PLEASE tell me where i can buy one of the books about benson parks history? They sold out at showtime computers yesterday!! :( please email me!

Can you PLEASE tell me where i can buy one of the books about benson parks history? They sold out at showtime computers yesterday!! :( please email me!

what ever happen to the trailer that looked like a half red wood tree

Hi I would like you to know that in 1958 we were married in West Warwick Rhode Island we went to benson wild animal farm for our honeymoon at that time we bought a beautiful case with case from you people I lost my wife August 3, 2011 we were married 55 years now what I have is all our love letters in this box we bought from you people we had a beautiful time there thanks so much I have nice memories
sincerely Paul DeRosier's and Margaret DeRosier's

My grandfather worked at Benson's around the mid 60's to early 70's. His name was Pink Madison. He was an elephant trainer. I remember I would spend the day running around the park and at showtimes I'd have to meet him back at the elephant barn to check in, and then ride Liz into the arena. Great memories! Can't wait to see the park now!

For more Info. on weddings at Benson Park and other large group activities please view the form at the link below or
contact Dave Yates at the Hudson, NH Recreation Department
(603) 880-1600

http://www.hudsonnh.gov/docs/ben/ben-Usage-Form.pdf

Nope, sadly the stone camels are not on site. Perhaps someone will donate them back one day.

Hard to believe it has been 25 years since the closing and final auction days of Bensons. Time flies. The memories were great. Human and Animal Friends made, even better. Glad the place has come to serve its family friendly purpose of today. Thanks to all those that made it work and happen.