The December meeting of the Benson Park Advisory Committee focused on new plans to protect several historic buildings at the park. Over the past few months, multiple town departments have been working on long term preservation efforts.
“We’re creating a team approach to talk about winterizing our historic buildings, what kind of maintenance needs to be done to ensure they’ll make it through any weather that comes up, and to continue to maintain them,” said Selectman Liaison Heidi Jakoby. “In the new year, Mr. Sorenson, Mr. Dhima, and Mr. Twardosky and I will be meeting to discuss a further plan of action moving forward that I hope to let all of you know about by February. We’re talking about it and it’s a concern we’re addressing.”
One of the older office buildings has experienced roof deterioration over the past year.
“A lot of people were very worried that we might lose a building,” said Committee member Sue Clement.
Jakoby assured both the Advisory Committee and the Friends of Benson Park that the town is committed to preserving all historic structures within the park.
“We’re excited about the fact that we own these historic buildings and excited about the fact that we get to care for them as a town and a community,” said Jakoby. “To do that, we have to make plans, we have to be proactive, and we have to understand what we can do and when we can do it.”
Several buildings at Benson Park have been officially listed on the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, prompting the Advisory Committee to order three signs.
“We were able to order the signs,” said Chair Jack Madden. “Sue has managed to get a volunteer who’s interested in mounting them on a granite post.”
It is not the first time the volunteer has contributed to the park.
“He did the stone for the Little Old Lady in the Shoe, he did all of that engraving, and then he did a granite bench as you come into the park,” said Clement. “He has said he would be interested in donating his time and the granite to Benson Park.”
Sign installation will likely take place once the weather improves in the spring.
“I feel like it’s important to get it put out there so people are aware even if they’re driving by in their car,” said Clement. “It’s important that they know this building is a historical building. It’s not a building you can go into: hands off.”
The Committee also continued planning for its next major event, the 2026 Cardboard Sled Race.
“We have had the Lion’s Club who has said they’re going to come and join us and have free hot cocoa,” said Clement. “I think we’re up to 12 volunteers from Pelham High School that are going to come, and we do have the Boy Scouts as well that helped us last year.”
Anyone interested in participating must register, and there is a $10 fee per sled. Prizes will be awarded for fastest sled, most creative sled, and most innovative sled.
“You can register through Facebook, our event page for the Friends of Benson Park. There’s a link and you can also go to our website under the events,” explained Friends of Benson Park member Natalie Newell.
The Cardboard Sled Race is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m., with Jan. 17 reserved as an alternate date in case of heavy snow or rain.