The Benson Park Committee opened its July 19 meeting with a quick, formal welcome to its newest full member, Sue Clement, who was officially approved by the Board of Selectmen on July 9.
Despite the confirmation, Clement was already involved with Benson Park, notably with her role in the rollout of Adopt-a-Spot T-shirts, where she was happy to announce that she found a designer.
“It’s just about figuring out what color we want to do,” said Clement. “They’ll do the design, let us know, and we’ll make a vote on which one we want. The cost will come after that.”
The Committee considered a proposal for a new mural for the park. Friends of Benson Park liaison, Natalie Newell, gave an update.
“I ran it by our board, but because the structure of the Elephant Barn will be altered with the new construction company we’ll be working with for the museum. They didn’t feel like right now was a good time to put a mural up, because it could be harmed,” said Newell, referring to the ongoing construction for Benson’s Museum and Discovery Center. “We’d like to ask if we can wait and maybe put a mural on the outside of the building at some point.”
She floated the idea of putting the mural on a blank side of the building once the museum was ready. It was unclear when that might happen.
It was also unclear exactly when repairs for the Old Woman in the Shoe would be complete, although there was a tentative plan to prepare it for a public opening by the end of summer.
“The Shoe, I need to find out when that will be complete, it could be in September, but we wanted to do an opening where kids could come in and actually go inside the Shoe,” said Clement. “I think they’re getting close, and we’d like to make the area around the Shoe perfect for people to visit for a great photo-op day.”
Acting Chair, Judy Brouillette, suggested coordinating with the library for help and suggestions.
Member, Gary Willaims, raised a new idea for a new plan on repaving the dog park after Sunshine Paving could not volunteer the needed labor for the task.
“Instead of one person being responsible, the whole plan of what needs to be done trying to get other businesses that are affiliated with Hudson to some donate dirt, some donate asphalt, instead of one company trying to do all of it,” said Willaims. “Once we get the proposal, we’re going to go out and solicit people.”
He figured that getting many companies to donate $1,000 each might be easier than trying to get one company to donate $20,000. There is no budget for the upkeep of the dog park, meaning any work must be funded through donations and voluntary labor.
The Benson Park Committee is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Hudson Cable Access Center.
The next Volunteer Clean-up Day for Benson Park is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Fourth Annual Family Fun Day is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
