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Jul032009

Benson’s- then and now

Filed under Animals, General, Photojournalism by don himsel at 12:58 pm

My first trip to what was known as Benson’s Wild Animal Park was when its material was being auctioned off to the highest bidder.  Anything not nailed down, and probably some that was,  or squirreled away was sold and hauled out.  It was in 1989, the year I started working for The Telegraph.

It had quite a history.  Anyone interested in the place, whether it was from memories of a school trip or a visit with family, will want to click on this link to see a collection of Telegraph stories and photos.  You’ll also be able to get to a forum where your Benson’s stories can be shared.

While I was looking through some old Telegraph negatives to produce a quick slideshow for the site I ran in to this gorilla image.  It was taken by long-time Telegraph staffer Dean Shalhoup on 2 1/4 film in what was most likely a Yashica Mat  box camera.  Next to it is a photograph I took earlier in June of Hudson’s assistant town admministrator Mark Pearson describing the current condition of a gorilla cage on the park’s site.  Vandals have destroyed and defaced the structure.  Graffiti is everywhere.

gorilla cage

For me, a long-time resident of the state but not local, I never saw the alligators.  Never saw a giraffe.  Never rode on a rollercoaster or on the galleon.  I’ve only visited in photographs and walked the weed-choked pathways and explored the abandonded buildings when it was closed and left on it’s own.

The future of the site is up in the air.  The past, however, can be revisited with a quick click of your mouse and a reach back into your own memory.

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    I read back in the messages on here that someone suggested contacting Extreme Makeover Home Edition and that is really not a bad idea!!! They truly believe in community spirit and helpng families out. When you think about it to us locals this was a large part of our family and always will be. I find it sad that it would only be a passive recreation park when it could again be so much more. This would also provide local jobs and bring lots of business back to the town. I bet that if enough people took it seerious and placed a foot forward we could make it happen. Here is a application form link from Extreme Makeover http://a.abc.com/media/primetime/xtremehome/app...
    They work off suggestion and attention. Think of what this would do for Hudson and for ABC to be a part of it. Im sure they would want Mr Provencher as a consultant and I am sure that would thrill him to no end. Spread this around as far and wide as you can, dont be the one to say "imagine if it could happen", be the one to say "I knew we could do it"! Think about what it meant to have kids up and out of the house with you doing something enjoyable as a family and not stuck on the computer looking like vampires from the lack of day light.. Drawing attention to this would be the thing to do here as that will help round up donations and volunteer support. Just picture this dream becoming a reality and being a part of it and history and not just talking about it! I know personally I would do what ever I could to help see it through... It sounds to me that this is the popular opinion of so many, what are we waiting for? Everyone knows someone interested, when is the last time you were heard?? Quite interesting to ponder isn't it. mrtcjg@aol.com

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