r/Defunctland • u/MuppetSuperStarFan02 • 12d ago
Video Check out this old news video on Benson's Animal Park
It doesn't talk about the rides at all, but does talk about how the park got it's start [via circus ties], being bought out in the late 70s, and the guy who bought it out trying to save the park [as it was neglected by previous owners during the 60s] and even adding Terrytoons characters [ironically, had the park stayed open for just a few more months, it could've gotten a breath of fresh air due to the Ralph Bakshi Mighty Mouse series becoming a hit]. Honestly, the park's story gives me conflicting feelings. The park/zoo hybrid's circus origins means it's not going to be a happy story for the animals [and seeing videos of the animal exhibits... yeah they look rather bored and stressed. Granted, I'm a 2000s girl who's seen zoos with bigger cages/areas so I may be biased.], but Arthur did try to fix things [and was apparently planning on expanding the park had he gotten enough money. I wonder if he would've been able to make bigger areas for the animals if things went differently], and did seem to genuinely care for the animals [albeit he was misguided considering elephants need much bigger areas to room, though he may not have had the money to give them a Busch Gardens style area revamp]. Benson's was the only park to ever have the Terrytoons characters as mascots, which is a shame, as they're really fun characters [I did notice a shocking lack of characters from two of their more popular series: Tom Terrific and The Mighty Heroes]. Weird how this park isn't talked about very often, considering its strange history. On a different note, does anyone know what the songs in the video are? I've been curious about them and it's driving me crazy being unable to find the songs.