The Benson Park Advisory Committee met on June 18 to address several emails from residents hoping to reserve space at Benson Park during what is expected to be a busy summer. Chair Sue Clement reiterated that the town does not have a formal reservation system for large gatherings.
“We’ve had quite a few emails about get togethers and parties at the park,” Clement said. “If you’re interested in having an activity with more than 15 people, we ask that you fill out a park usage form with the Department of Public Works. You can find it on the Benson Park website. There is no fee, but there are no reserved spots. On weekends, they allow only two groups of 15 or more.”
All large gatherings operate on a first come, first served basis.
“If you do not have permission from DPW and you have a large group, and somebody comes in to check, they have the authority to tell you to pick up your party and move,” Clement warned.
The Committee also discussed a recent inquiry from Erickson Foundation Solutions, which is planning a volunteer day at the park. According to Clement, the goal is to have Erickson employees assess water damage in the old Kitchen building.
“We’re going to do a site walkthrough with Erickson so we can show them the damage in the basement of the Kitchen, where we have a lot of water coming in whenever it rains or after winter thawing,” she said. “We already took some pictures of the graffiti underneath. I don’t know if that’s something they can help us with maybe repainting or shoring up some of those walls. Someone in the past got down there to graffiti it.”
Despite increased security, vandalism remains a recurring issue at the park, and weather continues to take a toll on several historic structures.
“Is the leakage in the front or in the back?” asked Alternate Harry Schibanoff. “Years ago, it was all dug out in front of the office where it was leaking. They put in stones that were supposed to solve the flooding. I guess it didn’t.”
Clement confirmed that the leaking around the Kitchen and Office buildings is primarily at the front, consistent with past flooding problems. The Committee hopes to address the issue along with other maintenance needs, including painting the Gorilla Cage, work on a bridge near Swan Lake, and repairs to the lower parking lot near the Benson Park Dog Park.
The next Volunteer Clean-Up Day is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Benson Park Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, July 16, at 7 p.m. in the HCTV Meeting Room.
