Field Station: Dinosaurs

Field Station: Dinosaurs is an outdoor prehistoric theme park with two locations in the United States. The park is designed for families with children between the ages of three and eleven.[1] The parks both feature a walking tour with full-size, scientifically accurate animatronic dinosaurs along with interactive exhibits and live shows designed to educate children about dinosaurs within the context of the local ecosystem.[2] The Executive Producer and Expedition Commander is Guy Gsell, a lifelong dinosaur enthusiast.[3][4]

New Jersey park
Location40 Fort Lee Road
Leonia, New Jersey 07605
Opened2012
Operating seasonMay through November
Area30 acres (12 ha)
Websitejerseydinos.com
Kansas park
Field Station: Dinosaurs in Kansas
Location2999 North Rock Road
Derby, Kansas 67036
Opened2018
Operating seasonMay through November
Area14 acres (5.7 ha)
Websitekansasdinos.com

The first location opened in New Jersey in 2012, when it was named Best Local Theme Park by Time Out New York [5] In 2013 Field Station: Dinosaurs was named the second best dinosaur theme park in the world.[6] Fodor's named Field Station: Dinosaurs one of the World's Best Spots for Dinosaur Lovers on March 6, 2014.[7]

In 2018, the second location opened in Derby, Kansas (Wichita metro area).[8][9]

New Jersey park

The first location opened on May 26, 2012, at Snake Hill in Secaucus, New Jersey. After four seasons, Field Station: Dinosaurs lost its lease on the property to make room for a new campus of the Hudson County Schools of Technology.[10] The Secaucus park closed on September 7, 2015 with record crowds and began its search of a new home.[11] Possible locations included Derby, Kansas[12] and West Milford, New Jersey.[13] In 2016, Field Station: Dinosaurs opened in its new location in Bergen County’s Overpeck County Park alongside Teaneck Creek.[14] The lush greenery and natural environment provides a dramatic backdrop for the dinosaurs.

In 2018, a new dinosaur was introduced into the New Jersey park. The Spinosaurus won the popular vote from park goers and was brought in to replace the Argentinosaurus which met a fiery demise the previous season.[15] When first purchased by Field Station: Dinosaurs, the 90’ Argentinosaurus was the largest animatronic dinosaur ever made.

The New Jersey exhibitions are:

Base Camp

Base Camp serves as the entry point for all visitors to the park. Visitors receive their "credentials," a passport which is stamped as they visit and participate in the various games, workshops and shows throughout the park. Base Camp is also home to the TriceraShops gift shop, first aid and Expedition Central Command.

Amphitheater

The Amphitheater is an open-air performance space. It features several shows that are performed throughout the day featuring the 15-foot dinosaur puppet:

  • "Feeding Frenzy" uses the scientific method to solve the mystery of what the dinosaurs ate.
  • "Found in New Jersey" is a fossil show that explores the history of dinosaurs in the Garden State.

Additional shows presented in the amphitheater include Field Station Challenge, Morning Briefing, Songs o' the Dinosaur Troubadour and the Dinosaur Dance Party.

Dig Site

The Quarry features a dig site where children dig for fossils and the Paleontologists' Laboratory.

Riverview

At the Riverview, visitors can see the 90-foot Argentinosaurus. They are also introduced to Hadrosaurus, New Jersey's official state dinosaur.

Family Tent

The Plateau is the site of "Mesozoic Concentration" and "Raptor Feud" - family games in which contestants answer questions about dinosaurs, geology and paleontology, along with Dinos-Origami and "What Color is Your Dinosaurs?", a fun show for pre-readers.

Kansas park
A large crowd await the start of the T-Rex Feeding Frenzy in the amphitheater in Derby

Field Station: Dinosaurs opened up its second location in Derby, Kansas on May 26, 2018.[8][9][16] This location features 44 animatronic dinosaurs and more than 40 live shows at several locations in the park throughout the day. A large amphitheatre is the location of the popular 'T-Rex Feeding Frenzy' show that features the 14 foot long T-Rex puppet.

Attractions

The parks are marketed to families with younger children (11 and under).

Education

The educational programming at Field Station: Dinosaurs serves a regional audience of students, summer camp groups, and daycare centers.

List of dinosaurs

The following dinosaurs are featured in the parks.[17][18]

References
  1. "Dinosaur-themed attraction proposed for Derby". kansas. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  2. "More shows, games this season for Field Station: Dinosaurs". NJ.com. 2013-04-05. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
  3. Haddon, Heather. "31 Prehistoric Creatures Invade N.J." Wall Street Journal. 2012.
  4. Bradford, Harry (July 17, 2013). "Creator Of Animatronic Dinosaur Theme Park Is Living His (And Everyone's) Childhood Dream (WATCH)". Retrieved November 2, 2017 – via Huff Post.
  5. Time Out NY Kids Editors. "New York's Best Things to Do with the Family" Time Out New York. 2012.
  6. "Top 4 dinosaur theme parks". FoxNews.com. April 29, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  7. "World's Best Spots for Dinosaur Fans". www.Fodors.com. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  8. "Dinosaurs/STAR Bonds | Derby, KS - Official Website". www.derbyweb.com. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  9. "Derby theme park plans more than 30 life-size animatronic dinos". The Wichita Eagle. November 16, 2017. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018.
  10. "Secaucus dinosaur park faces extinction". New Jersey Online. April 30, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  11. "Crowds flock to Field Station for final day". News 12 New Jersey. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  12. "Derby city council schedules public hearing for Field Station: Dinosaurs - Wichita Business Journal". Wichita Business Journal. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  13. "West Milford in the market for Secaucus dinosaur park". NJ.com. 2015-07-31. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  14. Janoski, Steve (April 4, 2016). "Dinosaur exhibition business coming to Bergen's Overpeck Park". northjersey.com. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  15. "PHOTOS: Dinosaur Catches Fire In New Jersey Park 2 Weeks Before Grand Opening". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
  16. Largest animatronic dino park in North America to open in Derby; KAKE TV; April 12, 2018.
  17. Dinosaurs, Field Station. "Dinosaurs Return To Kansas! Field Station: Dinosaurs' Second Park Nears Opening Day Just Outside Wichita With Over 40 Animatronic Dinosaurs". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved 2018-05-10.
  18. "Derby theme park plans more than 30 life-size animatronic dinos". kansas. Retrieved 2018-05-10.
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