The Benson Park Advisory Committee met on May 21 to review ongoing preservation projects and celebrate a wave of new donations that will help restore and protect some of the park’s most recognizable historic features. The meeting highlighted both the progress made and the challenges that remain as volunteers and town officials work to preserve the legacy of one of Hudson’s most beloved public spaces.
One of the major updates centered on the installation of new post markers for several historic structures, including the Hazelton Barn, the park’s office and kitchen building, and the former Hudson Train Station. Committee member Sue Clement reported that thanks to a recent donation, the markers will be crafted from high-quality granite rather than the simpler materials originally planned.
“There was an approximate $4,500 donation from Roger Pellerin of Gate City Monument,” Clement said. “They’re planning on putting in the stones over the holiday.”
The markers are intended not only to identify the historic buildings but also to help visitors better understand the park’s past. Benson Park, once home to the famous Benson’s Wild Animal Farm, still contains remnants of its earlier life, structures, foundations, and artifacts that spark curiosity among hikers, families, and history enthusiasts. Committee members hope the new markers will make it easier for visitors to connect with that history.
The Friends of Benson Park are also playing a role in the project. Chair Natalie Newell shared plans for a “historical hike” to coincide with the installation of the markers, an event designed to showcase the park’s heritage and highlight the work being done to preserve it. She thanked local historian Dana Benner for assisting with the hike. While no firm dates were set, both groups agreed the event would be a valuable opportunity to educate the public and build community engagement.
Clement also provided an update on the Lion’s Pride Restoration Project, which focuses on the two iconic lion statues that once greeted visitors to the park. The Hudson Lions Club recently donated $200 to fund an inspection of the statues, though Clement emphasized that a full restoration will require significantly more funding.
“Since then, we would like to save as much money on this project as we possibly can,” she said. “I had been searching many different organizations that have a background to do this type of work, and a lot of them mentioned how expensive it was going to be. Some of them offered to come over to take a look and give advice, because they said they wouldn’t be able to take on the project themselves.”
One promising lead came from a volunteer stoneworker named Lee, who has experience restoring gravestones and previously worked on the Old Lady in the Shoe attraction at Benson Park.
“I think he knows what he’s doing,” Clement said. “His only question was the liability piece of that. He’s ready to go. He isn’t going to charge us for the work just for the materials he would have to use. He mentioned that he can start right away.”
Committee members asked several questions about his background and whether he had worked on other structures in the park. Alternate member Harry Schibanoff recalled a mason who restored the stone wall near the bear cage and wondered if Lee had been involved. Clement clarified that Lee’s expertise is primarily in gravestone restoration, not wall construction, but said his previous work in the park had been solid.
Board of Selectmen Liaison Kim Allan offered to help coordinate the next steps and said she had already spoken with Town Administrator Roy Sorenson.
“I spoke with Roy, and he said he’d like to speak to Lee,” Allan said. “Potentially, we’d like to put this as an item for our June 9 meeting.”
The Committee expressed optimism that with volunteer support, community donations, and continued coordination with town officials, the lion statues could be restored without placing a heavy financial burden on taxpayers.
As the meeting wrapped up, members reflected on the importance of preserving Benson Park’s history not just for longtime residents who remember its past, but for new families discovering it for the first time. With each donation, volunteer effort, and restoration project, the park’s story becomes a little clearer and its future a little brighter.
The next Benson Park Advisory Committee meeting is set for Thursday, June 18, at 7 p.m. in the Hudson Cable Access Center.
