Ellyn August 29, 2013 08:44:13 (EDT)

Hi, was wondering who I could contact about possibly doing an event for Animal Rescue Network of New England (Arnne.org). Thanks..

carolyn August 27, 2013 18:48:19 (EDT)

my husband has a rocking chair from when he was a boy we could donate let us know
thanks

Hunter Attenborough August 22, 2013 14:54:19 (EDT)

Hi,I'm wondering if you guys have any extra dirt, we need some for trails...thanks

Tina August 16, 2013 19:49:17 (EDT)

Hopefully Benson`s will not host the Kelly Miller Circuse ever again :

A citizen who was near the Kelly Miller Circus elephant rides in Point Place, Ohio, on August 8 attests to witnessing a handler attack an elephant with a "stick" that appeared to have a "sharp hook on the end"—a weapon commonly known as a bullhook, which is used to hurt and intimidate elephants. According to the citizen's sworn affidavit, she and her 13-year-old son witnessed the handler attack the elephant, who had four young children on her back, with such force that she could hear a "whack" sound with each strike. Reportedly, after the handler inflicted the final blow, the elephant screamed.

The violent beating that the citizen reports to have witnessed would clearly violate Ohio law, which prohibits the use of "electric or other prods, or similar devices" on animals who are "performing, or being used in any exhibition, show, [or] circus." Ohio law also prohibits cruelly and unnecessarily beating animals. After being informed that the Toledo Area Humane Society (TAHS) is the only agency with the authority to pursue this case, PETA contacted the TAHS and provided it with the citizen's sworn affidavit, her police report, her authenticated photographs of the alleged perpetrator, and even the likely name of the alleged perpetrator.

Gail M. DeMarco July 29, 2013 19:49:14 (EDT)

What a great job the volunteers did on this pak. There are so many memories of my childhood from here. Love walking around and going down memory lane.

Brenda Wulf-El-Sayed July 28, 2013 11:12:25 (EDT)

I have old photos of Betsy the Elephant with her Trainer, my Uncle Sgt Llewllyn B. Whitney who was awarded the Bronze Star in Korea. Also, I have a hand drawing of Betsy he drew. I have a newspaper clipping stating "he attended Nashua High school and is knwn in Hudson wehre he trained elphants at enson's Wild Animal Farm."

art sawyer July 23, 2013 15:20:33 (EDT)

sure would love to talk to some of the old workers lots of nice people worked
hard ther I know I loved it I was on the animal crew good people hope all is doing well

Heidi Tierney July 21, 2013 15:00:05 (EDT)

I just wanted to take the time to thank you, for the updated trail map.

KD July 21, 2013 09:31:04 (EDT)

Hello! Love going here to walk around...brings back memories of when I came here as a little kid in the mid 80s! For some reason I thought the park closed in '89 rather than '87...thought they were considering closing it in '87 (or made plans to), but became "Playworld" until '89..either that or my memory is just foggy :)

Steve Klein (webmaster) July 17, 2013 21:38:51 (EDT)

Thanks, Dana. I updated the link at the top of this page to point to the new trail map.

Dana Sion July 17, 2013 11:23:27 (EDT)

Bruce,
Here is a link to the newest updated Benson Park trail map from the Town of Huson website: http://www.hudsonnh.gov/docs/ben/ben-trail-map.pdf
Enjoy
-Dana

Phil Gallagher July 10, 2013 12:54:17 (EDT)

I worked at Benson's in the summer of '53. I would love to contact one of the cadre of that summer, Ray Peck or his daughter Juanita, if he's not on email.
If anyone cares, the lion trainer in the lion act pictures at the left of the website home page is Joe Arcaris, who won a Carnegie Medal for heroism when he saved a person from lions at another site (Florida?). His arm had the scars to illustrate the event.
If Erin Gibson sees this, I worked for a good while with Betsy, the elephant in 1951 - she loved me, and I maintained a very, very discreet and proper respect!

My email: uphilg@hotmail.com

Cindy Provencher July 8, 2013 19:22:47 (EDT)

Hi Erin, my email is dennisprovencher@comcast.net. Cindy

Bruce July 5, 2013 08:24:55 (EDT)

I have been trying to get an updated trail map for Benson Park in Hudson, NH and everyone I contacted wasn't of any help. The site has a trail map but it doesn't have updated trails on it. I was looking for a more updated trail map to print out to carry with me while walking the trails.

Erin Gibson June 28, 2013 12:35:21 (EDT)

I am looking for a current email address for Arthur Provencher or Cindy Provencher. If anyone could put me in contact with them, I would appreciate it. I'm looking for some historical documents related to an elephant that was at Benson's. Thank you!

Heidi Tierney June 28, 2013 05:37:57 (EDT)

At Benson Park there is a trail named the Acorn Trail, but this trail is not listed on the Map that is on the Benson's site. Is there any plans to update the Map that you have on the Benson online site to download with this trail.

Sandra and Jim June 15, 2013 14:38:44 (EDT)

Hello,

Does anyone know how we can purchase a park bench to donate to Benson's in memory of our Son ? Also, the cost to purchase one. Please email me at liquidformula1@comcast.net. Thanks for your help. Sandra

Erin Gibson June 15, 2013 12:06:31 (EDT)

I'm researching an elephant named Kay who would have been at Benson's Animal Farm in May/June 1929. Are there any records, photos, or film (a stretch, I know) from that time period? She arrived in Boston from Hamburg, Germany, and was transported by train to Benson's. If you have any information, leads on information, or a recommendation of a person to talk to, please let me know.

Thank you for operating an active message board!

Joyce June 14, 2013 17:05:58 (EDT)

Bret-
Thank you for your reply. Sorry it took so long to get back on the message board. I lost the link.

I live in New Bedford, and Ruth is still at the Zoo. I'm writing a short story on her (fiction based on fact). Would you have photos of her from her time there? Or any records? Do you know anyone who might have her records? The Zoo said all they got was a transfer slip when she arrived.

I'll be honest with you. I've also been trying to get her to the Elephant Sanctuary. Not that the Zoo is bad, but the exhibit is small and at her age (55) she deserves to retire.