Dana Sion July 5, 2011 17:40:49 (EDT)

Jackie,
It's neat you should mention those exhibits in the park with the children, I saw an old photo online today that is not ont he parks Facebook page or any other place that I know of with the elephants playing in the Swan Lake with the exhibits in the far background that you mentioned(I think they are the same). Here is a link to the photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveinleighton/5779726507/in/pool-1189568@N23

-Dana

Another Friend of Benson's July 5, 2011 16:34:04 (EDT)

ENOUGH !!!!!!! The circus has come and gone why continue to beat this freaking thing to death it's over people move on !!!

Friend Of Benson's July 5, 2011 13:55:17 (EDT)

If anyone wants know how uninformed the State is about Cole Bros. Circus, go to friendsofbenson.org. and see the citation the Governor gave them. I guess he signs whatever is put on his desk.

jackie July 5, 2011 12:44:58 (EDT)

Does anyone remmeber and have pictures of the children from diffrent lands? They were manniquins (like the old woman in the shoe)in large displays. they were lined up along the path i believe by the train depot. I don't recall exactly i was only about 7 or 8 the last time i visited Benson's. They used to scare though. One of the displays I believe was of eskimo children with an igloo.

CJ July 3, 2011 20:11:44 (EDT)

Maybe another circus won't be sponsored.

Take this cause and info to your state reps., etc to try to implement a ban in our state on traveling circus'.
Stop spouting here and act.
Actions speak louder than words !

Hudson needed open space for recreation. And people have worked hard to clean up the farm and create a nice place.

Let it Be........

Brad July 3, 2011 11:15:35 (EDT)

Bensons is Nice BUT why sponsor a circus?

COLE BROS TREATS THEIR ANIMALS LIKE THIS! Google anything about animal abuse in circuses.

http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2011/06/23/another-elephant-beating-caught-on-tape.aspx?c=pfs

Michael July 2, 2011 10:24:19 (EDT)

I am so glad the history of Benson's Wild Animal Farm is being kept alive in the true fans via Benson Park and Friends of Benson Park, Inc.

I can't wait until the elephant barn is opened to the public again! The history inside brings back so many memories - it still smells of elephants and big cats.

Dana Sion July 2, 2011 10:10:22 (EDT)

Jay,
Thank you, the new play complex is going to be amazing with a lovely nature theme. It will have dedicated play areas for younger kids and older kids to play in a safe environment.

As for the paint? Painting projects have been ongoing and all the exterior graffiti has been painted over with primer at the old Gorilla House, a new color pallet selected and final colors will be applied this month by the volunteers of the buildings sub-committee. The paint had been donated to the Friends of Benson Park to be used at the park.

On a separate note the back side of Swan Lake will be leveled off and paved in "RAP" to match many of the other paths in the park.

Renderings of the new Benson Park Play Complex can be found at www.facebook.com/bensons.waf

Jay July 2, 2011 05:42:10 (EDT)

Nice to see that the town of Hudson is going to put in playground equipment, Now if they could just come up with a few gallons of paint that would be nice also !!!

Teri Garza June 30, 2011 21:49:21 (EDT)

I didn't know about the circus and I am glad I didn't. But since I found this site I would like to add that I love to go to Benson's Park to walk around, take pictures and enjoy the outdoors. It also brings back GREAT memories of my childhood there. I pray that only good is associated with Benson's from here on.

Webmaster Steve June 27, 2011 18:39:30 (EDT)

With some detective work, I was able to "correct" the name and email address information for the note posted at June 26, 2011 13:08:32.

I am disappointed that this message board was corrupted by someone who posted a message using Bret's name.

Using someone else's name when posting a message is nothing short of identity theft, and will not be tolerated here.

Cheryl June 27, 2011 08:42:39 (EDT)

Bret, I knew that wasn't your writing.

Julie, I loved that you brought Tony the Gorilla Dunkin Doughnuts !

Bret June 27, 2011 07:03:50 (EDT)

OK..the prior message displays only a portion of the negative and libelous actions used by animal activists groups. The prior message was not displayed by me. As typical, these folks stoop to deception, lies, narcissistic tuaunts, etc. I agree with Jay. This site wasn't put up for the bitching and cesspool antics of animal activists. Their attempts at 'going positve' didn't last long...simply becuase they don't possess that talent. Be warned, anyone that knows me, knows what I believe in. If you're not sure..just ask.

Wilbur Mercer June 26, 2011 13:08:32 (EDT)

This makes me very, very sad. This is a video with just a glimpse of the over agressive bullhook use Cole Bros Circus employs, this incident happened in Mansfield MA. If this is what they do in the open imagine what they do behind closed doors! Keep them from coming back to our beautiful town! There are many other types of fundraisers to use!

http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2011/06/23/another-elephant-beating-caught-on-tape.aspx?c=pfs

Julie June 26, 2011 13:03:31 (EDT)

Hi to Bret....I dont knw if you remember me but my dad was Jim Rutman from Manchester airport. he worked at the airport for northeast airlines and Delta from the 60s to late 70s. He used to bring me to the park and was freinds with alot of the staff. I hope everyone who reads this will see that Bensons staff were great animal lovers and spent alot of their time caring and loving the animals there. I saw the worry in their eyes when one of the animals were sick or hurt.I loved spending time in the back room of the gorilla house. Talking to him and giving him dunkin donuts. I remember one time when I was playing in that room with a young moutain lion(i think her name was princess) how he was so interested in her. My dad talked about Bensons and the fun we had there together till he died 2 years ago.I just recently found some pictures of us there. Thankyou for the great memories and the care you gave to the park and animals.

Jay June 24, 2011 20:46:23 (EDT)

Enough let it go and let this site go back to what it was inteneded to be, not a place to BITCH !!

Erik Limmer June 24, 2011 18:32:36 (EDT)

Was there a Benson's in Intervale at the north end of 16-A & 16/302 in the '60's?

Tony June 24, 2011 09:33:36 (EDT)

This is very, very sad.

There needs to be a ban on Traveling Circus' altogether
once and for all across the nation.

People can go to good zoo's if they really want to see
animals.

Brad June 23, 2011 15:35:11 (EDT)

Elephant Beating at COLE BROS!!

http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2011/06/23/another-elephant-beating-caught-on-tape.aspx?c=pfs