Can Benson’s Wild Animal Park refurbish?

There was a time when Benson’s Wild Animal Farm or Benson’s Wild Animal Park was one of the main attractions in Hudson, New Hampshire, especially to the children. It was basically a long-running private zoo and amusement park and one of the best zones of amusement and picnic during the holidays. The zoo was founded by John Benson in 1924 who was an animal-training center, and was opened to the public in 1926 with animal exhibits, a miniature train, games and exhibits. Which animals used to reside within the zoo? Well, the question is difficult and it is better to ask of the absentees in this regard.

In the zoo there were rich varieties of animals (almost all sorts of exotic animals) along with various other facilities. Even at that time there was a special “Jungle Train” that ran from Boston to Hudson on Sundays, with admission to Benson’s included in the ticket price. The farm came to Arthur Provencher in 1979 who did a lot to retain the glory of the park but the time was against him. His main concentration was on the animals and their beauties instead of making the park as a mere center of amusement. The park by that time was under the clutch of tremendous economic hardships but even towards the end there was the rich presence of animals, including trained lions, bears of several different species, llamas, a gorilla, elephants, monkeys, and many kinds of birds.

However, a lot of efforts by Arthur Provencher and of him along with others failed to check the final disasters and the park was finally closed in 1987, after having been renamed New England Playworld for its final year. What is the present condition? The whole area consists of crumbling old buildings and acres of wilderness blanketed under snow and ice. You can also find fences and brush where the children used to take rides on elephants and families used to make glee.

Well, according to Hudson Selectmen Roger Coutu, Hudson has become the owner of the entire tract once again after paying the state $188,000. But lots of question remains unanswered still. There is the need of a huge fund to refurbish the entire farm. Who will take that responsibility? Will Benson’s Wild Animal Park get back the old glory?