The Benson Park Advisory Committee used its April meeting to map out plans for a busy summer season, focusing on both upcoming events and the need for clearer, more consistent policies for park use. With Benson Park approaching its 100year milestone, members emphasized that this year’s programming carries special significance.
The Friends of Benson Park, led by Chair Natalie Newell, outlined an ambitious vision for the park’s centennial celebration. The group has been working for years to preserve the history of the former Benson’s Wild Animal Farm, and the upcoming Family Fun Day will serve as a major showcase of that effort.
“On September 12 is our Family Fun Day Centennial Celebration; that’s our day, and we’re going to have the celebration all around the Elephant Barn,” said Newell. “We’ll have a soft opening of the Discovery Center on the same day.”
The Discovery Center and museum space, which will feature memorabilia, photographs, and artifacts from the old amusement park and zoo, has been a long-term goal for the Friends of Benson Park since 2010. Newell said the centennial celebration is the perfect opportunity to highlight the progress made so far and to bring the community together around the park’s history.
To help bring the event to life, Newell requested assistance from the Department of Public Works (DPW), particularly with moving a historic circus wagon currently stored behind the Elephant Barn.
“We have a circus wagon that’s in the storage unit behind the Elephant Barn, it’s a trailer,” she explained. “To pull it out and bring it where everyone can see it, we would need the help of someone with a tractor to kind of pull it out of there. Not only do we want to take it out for that day, but wheel it into the back of the barn to temporarily store it. It would be fun to have it out for Family Fun Day.”
Committee member Sue Clement took a moment to acknowledge DPW’s ongoing support, noting that the department has been especially responsive during the winter months.
“I want to thank DPW for their quick response,” Clement said. “Through the winter, there was a lot of plowing going on at that entrance in front of the barn. It got unsafe, but DPW immediately had people there fixing the whole thing. They did a super job.”
As the Committee looked ahead to a summer filled with events, members also turned their attention to the policies that govern park use. With more groups expressing interest in hosting activities at Benson Park, the Committee agreed that clearer guidelines would help both organizers and staff.
“I know we talked about a lot of things like events, reservations, and vendors, so I’ve started putting together a Google Drive with documents from other towns and a summary of policies,” said Committee member Evan Maloney. “When you’re talking about things like vendors, amplified music, food trucks, what have you, most of these other parks allow these things in the context of events.”
Maloney suggested that Benson Park’s forms and policies should distinguish between a “gathering” and an “event,” noting that many municipalities use this distinction to determine when insurance or permits are required.
“Anything that triggers an event would require separate insurance. That’s pretty standard, that’s what they do in Manchester, that’s what they do in Nashua,” added Committee member Jake Beauchemin. However, he cautioned that enforcement could become complicated. “If they say they’re a gathering, but they’re really an event, what happens? If they say there’s going to be 20 people and there’s 100, what is the recourse? Do you get the police involved?”
Maloney agreed that any policy changes would need clear, detailed language to avoid confusion and ensure consistent enforcement. Sound policies and e-bike rules were also mentioned as areas needing attention, especially as the park continues to attract more visitors.
With a major celebration on the horizon and a growing number of groups seeking to use the park, the Advisory Committee plans to continue refining its policies in the coming months to ensure Benson Park remains safe, welcoming, and well managed for all.
