DANA SION May 1, 2011 21:01:31 (EDT)

Hi Michael Roy,
I am so glad you re-visited Benson Park as we love to say :-) It's an all new place with new memories to be created but so much to remember from the past. For general questions about volunteering contact: " volunteer@bensonpark.org " for landscaping questions: " landscaping@bensonpark.org " Thank you for your support, this Memorial day will be the 1st anniversary of the park as Benson Park being open to the public. The next public clean-up at the park will be Sat. the 14 of May 2011 with water and lunch provided 9-2.

Linda Ahern May 1, 2011 08:11:03 (EDT)

DO NOT ALLOW THE COLE BROTHERS CIRUS TO COME TO BENSONS THAT ARE KNOW TO BE THE CRULEST CIRCUS IN AMERICA. CHECK ANIMAL/ELEPHANT TRAINING VIDEO ON PETA. TRAINER WAS VIDEOED TREATING THE ELEPHANTS WITH SUCH CRUELTY THAT IF YOU WATCH IT YOU WILL NEVER TAKE YOUR CHILDREN TO A CIRCUS WITH ANIMALS AGAIN I DARE YOU TO WATCH IT!!!!!

Michael Roy April 30, 2011 15:29:36 (EDT)

I now live in Mass, and was driving the back roads of Hudson to get to Litchfield and noticed a BENSON PARK sign, and cars in the parking lot. MY heart started to pound faster in thought that it was opened again, Fond memories as a kid,,,,and now I can bring my kids and grandchildren there, oh of course it won't be the same, but to be able to walk around, and revisit a childhood place, thank you, and am considering volunteering with the family to get it to a better place, nice idea and again thank you

Suzanne Fournier April 26, 2011 11:09:59 (EDT)

To those involved in the circus fundraiser set for June: Please reconsider your decision to host the Cole Bros. Circus with live wild animals, because these animals suffer greatly due to circus life. Please instead raise your funds honorably and compassionately. The wonderful Benson's Park will garner much more public support and good will in the long run if you treat animals well. The circus is a very hard life for animals. Thank you.

Dana Sion April 26, 2011 01:36:17 (EDT)

Shawn,
Thank you for your kind words, you are so right it is truly amazing what has happen to this wonderful new park with the dedication of so many great people.
-Dana

Harry Schibanoff April 21, 2011 11:53:43 (EDT)

The size of the park is often misquoted. According to the Deed from the State the park is 165.8 acres.

The Remote Control Car area has been cleared by volunteers and is scheduled to be restored for use by an Eagle Scout this summer.

LisaJ April 20, 2011 18:02:35 (EDT)

How big is the property now? 165 acres or 168 acres? I'm writing an article for NH ToDo and want to confirm this detail.

Oh, I also saw something in an article from last year that mentioned a small motor raceway for radio-controlled cars - does that exist now, or is that a future thing?

thanks!
Lisa

Shawn Jasper April 20, 2011 17:16:48 (EDT)

Mike, the Hazelton barn has the potential to cost many 100's of thousands of dollars, as such there are no plans for it at the presnt time. Our obligation is to maintain it in its current condition. At this point as long as it is weather tight, nothing will be done until the economy improves or a rich patron comes along.

Mike April 20, 2011 12:07:06 (EDT)

Shawn:

What are the plans with the Hazelton Barn?

Shawn Jasper April 20, 2011 08:27:52 (EDT)

As Chairman of the Board of Selectman I want to try to answer a few questions about Benson Park . The park is not finished by any stretch of the imagination. Although the work is years ahead of where most of us thought it would be, thanks to the countless volunteers, it will take years to get it to where we would like it to be. Several of us walked the park yesterday with the Road Agent and a Foreman, looking at the short term projects that need to be done by them, the more we looked the more we saw and it became a list of long term projects. There are many things that will happen in the park over the next year. The playground for children with physical challenges will be installed. The Train Station will be moved to a permanent location (to the opposite side of the office building). Water, gas and lines will be brought in to the park to connect the Station and other buildings and the sewer line will be brought up from near the Gorilla Cage to the Train Station and Office Building. The path around the back side of Swan Lake will be improved and paved with re-possessed asphalt, to complete the loop around the pond. All the while volunteers will be working to plant gardens and shrubs, clear brush, improve the trails and buildings. There is no end in sight, but the progress is almost beyond belief. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered and to those who will become motivated to help in the future.

Dana Sion April 20, 2011 00:04:24 (EDT)

Corey,
To volunteer to clean up an area, plant flowers Etc. E-mail " landscaping@bensonpark.org " Natalie is the chairperson of the Landscaping Sub-committee at Benson Park and will be able to help you or any one else who is interested in landscaping.

corey light April 18, 2011 18:25:39 (EDT)

i would like to volenter to clean a spot in the park . im looking for a spot with water like a water fall or a small pond but not something really big , but something i can take care of once a week not every day !!! please message me back at pianorollkid3@yahoo.com , if you dont have a water spot i would like to meet up at the park at a spicific time and see what spots you have , even if you have water spots =) thanks

Sarah Williams April 17, 2011 20:45:19 (EDT)

"Wild animals don't do headstands or jump through fire because they enjoy it; they do it out of fear of punishment. We have to stop teaching our kids that they should applaud this kind of animal slavery, abusive confinement and training, and hideous exploitation." Friends of Animal's President Priscilla Feral

Jennifer Costello April 17, 2011 20:38:12 (EDT)

I do not support The Cole Bros Circus coming to Hudson. Cole Bros Circus has routinely, and systemically, mistreated their animals and their track record is long. Benson's you are supporting and endorsing this mistreatment by your support of this inhumane activity! I can not accept animals being abused for profit. There are plenty of other fundraising options that are available. It is simply heartbreaking that you agree with the violence against animals that Cole Bros has made a business out of. Cole Bros has repeatedly failed to meet even minimal standards of care of their animals. Captive circus animals endure lives of severe neglect, isolation, torture, and abuse.

Jennifer Costello April 17, 2011 20:37:13 (EDT)

I do not support The Cole Bros Circus coming to Hudson. Cole Bros Circus has routinely, and systemically, mistreated their animals and their track record is long. Benson's you are supporting and endorsing this mistreatment by your support of this inhumane activity! I can not accept animals being abused for profit. There are plenty of other fundraising options that are available. It is simply heartbreaking that you agree with the violence against animals that Cole Bros has made a business out of. Cole Bros has repeatedly failed to meet even minimal standards of care of their animals. Captive circus animals endure lives of severe neglect, isolation, torture, and abuse, day in day out.

Alan Stuart April 16, 2011 20:45:33 (EDT)

Just wanted to say - that I looked at the photos from Dave Dube, and the last photo on the bottom of the "circus wagon" is "not" at Circus World Musuem in Baraboo,WI. The last time I saw it(several years ago), it was with Commerford + Sons Petting Zoo - from Goshen, CT. This is the petting zoo that goes to The Big E in West Springfield,MA and Topsfield Fair,MA.

Carol April 15, 2011 13:45:08 (EDT)

So, now that the park has been fixed up, are there any other future plans for "Benson's"?

Gloria April 14, 2011 16:31:11 (EDT)

How time flies I went to Bensons as a child in the 1950's and I think they even had a display of live dinosaurs thats how long it has been. When my children were born would drag all 3 of them there..............

Mike April 12, 2011 19:53:03 (EDT)

Hi:

I was walking tonight with my son and his grandfather on the Hazelton trail. We looked at the barn, and I was wondering what is to become of it? I understand that it would take allot of money to renovate. Has money from area businesses been thought of in helping the restorations? Has anyone gone out to the business community and asked for help with the parks needs?