Field Station: Dinosaurs
| Slogan | 9 Minutes from Manhattan, 90 Million Years Back in Time! |
|---|---|
| Location | Overpeck County Park, New Jersey USA |
| Coordinates | 40°45′43″N 74°04′59″W / 40.762°N 74.083°WCoordinates: 40°45′43″N 74°04′59″W / 40.762°N 74.083°W |
| Opened | May 26, 2012 |
| Operating season | May through November |
| Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Website | Field Station: Dinosaurs |
Field Station: Dinosaurs is an outdoor prehistoric theme park located in Overpeck County Park in Leonia, New Jersey. Opened in 2012, the park was previously located on Snake Hill in Secaucus, New Jersey. The park is designed for families with children between the ages of three and eleven.[1] The exhibition features a walking tour with 32 full-size animatronic dinosaurs, along with interactive exhibits and live shows designed to educate children about dinosaurs within the context of the local ecosystem.[2] It opened in 2012 under president and chief executive producer, Guy Gsell, a lifelong dinosaur enthusiast.[3][4] In 2012 it was named Best Local Theme Park by Time Out New York [5] and 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]
Location
Field Station: Dinosaurs lost its lease on the property to make room for a new campus of the Hudson County Schools of Technology.[8] The Secaucus park closed on September 7, 2015 with record crowds and began its search of a new home.[9] Possible locations included Derby, Kansas[10] and West Milford, New Jersey.[11] In 2016, the attraction will be housed on a temporary site in the Leonia portion of Overpeck County Park before moving to its permanent location in 2017. The permanent location in Teaneck, New Jersey will occupy approximately 30 acres in an undeveloped part of the Overpeck County Park alongside Teaneck Creek.[12][13][14]
Exhibitions
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.
The Dig Site
The Quarry features a dig site where children dig for fossils and the Paleontologists' Laboratory.
The Riverview
At the Riverview, visitors can see the 90-foot Argentinosaurus. They are also introduced to Hadrosaurus, New Jersey’s official state dinosaur. The Yurt serves as the Commander's Tent where Season Pass and Commander's Passholders can rest in air-conditioned comfort and enjoy two exclusive programming.
The 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.
Exhibitions
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.
The Dig Site
The Quarry features a dig site where children dig for fossils and the Paleontologists' Laboratory.
The Riverview
At the Riverview, visitors can see the 90-foot Argentinosaurus. They are also introduced to Hadrosaurus, New Jersey’s official state dinosaur. The Yurt serves as the Commander's Tent where Season Pass and Commander's Passholders can rest in air-conditioned comfort and enjoy two exclusive programming.
The 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.
Park History and Press Coverage
Prior to Opening
- On Sunday, December 4, 2011, the T-Rex puppet took the train to the game in an event with New Jersey Transit and the New York Giants.The dinosaur played with fans at the Secaucus Junction Train Station and MetLife Stadium for the New York Giants game against the Green Bay Packers.[15][16][17][18][19]
- On Saturday, April 14, Field Station: Dinosaurs hosted a job fair to fill 120 positions they were creating in Hudson County.[20][21][22]
- On Wednesday, April 24, 2011, Field Station: Dinosaurs began unpacking the animatronic dinosaurs at the site.[23]
Opening Day
Special Events
- On Saturday, August 25, Field Station: Dinosaurs hosted a puppetry workshop with staff member, Noel MacNeal, who has played various members of Sesame Street’s Snuffleupagus’ family, The Bear in the Big Blue House, and Knock Knock on the Great Space Coaster.[28][29]
- Labor Day weekend (September 1–3), 2012, Field Station: Dinosaurs hosted Dino Blitz to help the NFL kick off its season with football-themed games and prizes.[30][31]
T-Rex on Tour
Throughout summer 2012, Field Station: Dinosaurs showcased their 15-foot T-Rex puppet throughout the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania regions.
Ballparks
| Date | Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|
| June 28, 2012 | TD Bank Ballpark[32] | Bridgewater Township, New Jersey |
| July 7, 2012 | lones Stadium[33] | Coney Island, Brooklyn |
| August 3, 2012 | Yogi Berra Stadium[34] | Little Falls, New Jersey |
| August 21, 2012 | First Energy Park[35][36] | Lakewood, New Jersey |
Libraries and Museums
| Date | Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|
| April 26, 2012 | Newark Museum[37] | Newark, New Jersey |
| June 13, 2012 | Hackettstown Public Library[38] | Hackettstown, New Jersey |
| June 20, 2012 | Jersey City Free Public Library[39] | Jersey City, New Jersey |
| June 21, 2012 | Westfield Library[40] | Westfield, New Jersey |
| June 26, 2012 | South Orange Public Library[41] | South Orange, New Jersey |
| June 27, 2012 | Summit Free Public Library[42] | Summit, New Jersey |
| July 2, 2012 | Princeton Library[43] | Princeton, New Jersey |
Community Events
| Date | Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2012 | Hoboken Music Festival[44] | Hoboken, New Jersey |
| May 19, 2012 | Everything Jersey City Festival | Jersey City, New Jersey |
Dinosaurs After Dark
On Friday, September 21, 2012 Field Station: Dinosaurs premiered its Dinosaurs After Dark tours where every Friday and Saturday night through November 10, visitors can explore the park by flashlight, hear ghost stories about nearby Snake Hill, see a new show featuring the 15-foot T-Rex, enjoy a dino-dance party and eat s’mores. This is an annual event which guests can enjoy.[45]
Full List of Dinosaurs Featured in the Park
Notes
- ↑ "Dinosaur-themed attraction proposed for Derby". kansas. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
- ↑ "More shows, games this season for Field Station: Dinosaurs". NJ.com. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
- ↑ Haddon, Heather. "31 Prehistoric Creatures Invade N.J." Wall Street Journal. 2012.
- ↑ Bradford, Harry. "Creator of Animatronic Dinosaur Theme Park is Living His (and Everyone Else's) Dream". Huffington Post. 2013.
- ↑ Time Out NY Kids Editors. "New York's Best Things to Do with the Family" Time Out New York. 2012.
- ↑ Myers, Quinn. "Top 4 dinosaur theme parks." Maxim. 2013
- ↑ "World's Best Spots for Dinosaur Fans". www.fodors.com. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
- ↑ "Secaucus dinosaur park faces extinction". New Jersey Online. April 30, 2015. Retrieved 2015-05-02.
- ↑ "Crowds flock to Field Station for final day". News 12 New Jersey. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
- ↑ "Derby city council schedules public hearing for Field Station: Dinosaurs - Wichita Business Journal". Wichita Business Journal. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
- ↑ "West Milford in the market for Secaucus dinosaur park". NJ.com. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
- ↑ "Dinosaur Park Reportedly Moving To Bergen County". Fort Lee, NJ Patch. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
- ↑ http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/04/field_station_dinosaurs_moves_to_bergen_county.html#incart_river_home
- ↑ http://www.northjersey.com/news/dinosaur-exhibition-business-coming-to-bergen-s-overpeck-park-1.1537967
- ↑ Perlman, William. This Giant Could Be a Hot Ticket Himself. The Star Ledger. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Kowsh, Kate. Outdoor dinosaur exhibition previewed in Secaucus. The Jersey Journal. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Pope, Gennarose. Jurassic Secaucus! 24-Acre Dinosaur Park Coming to Meadowlands Region. Hudson Reporter. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ New Jersey Family. The Dinosaurs Are Coming! Field Station: Dinosaurs, coming to Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus, New Jersey. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Sekula, Anna. New Jersey Dinosaur Park Promotes Upcoming Opening to Football Fans. BizBash. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Verdon, Joan. "Dinosaur Theme Park Looking to Hire." The Record. April 14, 2012.
- ↑ Williams, Barbara. "Fun Goes Along With the Job." The Record. April 15, 2012.
- ↑ Musat, Stephanie. Job Fair For Secaucus Dinosaur Park Today. The Jersey Journal. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Zernike, Kate. Where Dinosaurs Roar Back. The New York Times. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Hack, Charles. "Dinosaurs Returning to an Old Home." The Jersey Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
- ↑ Fujimori, Sachi. "It's a Prehistoric Day." The Record. May 25, 2012.
- ↑ Whitehouse, Beth. Field Station: Dinosaurs in New Jersey. Newsday. May 31, 2012.
- ↑ Yarm, Mark. The Lucrative Business of Fake, Life-Sized Dinosaurs. Businessweek Online. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Kuperinsky, Amy. Dino Puppets. NJ.com. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Hudson Reporter. Puppet-making at Field Station: Dinosaurs. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ The Jersey Journal. Dinosaur park, Meadowlands have events to mark start of NFL season. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ The Record. New & Noteworthy: Labor Day weekend sales; Dinosaur Blitz in Secaucus; Downtown Dribble in Newark. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Dinosaurs to turn TD Bank Ballpark into Jurassic Ballpark Bridgewater Patch. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Donnelly, Tim. Better Cyclones promotion: hipster night or dinosaur night? Brokelyn. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Jackals, Dinosaurs Converge on Yogi Berra Stadium Friday Night. Montclair Patch. August 2, 2012.
- ↑ Stilton, Phil. T-Rex Dinosaur the Throw Out First Pitch at Upcoming BlueClaws Game. Toms River NJ Online. August 14, 2012.
- ↑ Stilton, Phil. Lakewood BlueClaws look to T-Rex for First Pitch Next Week Jackson Family & Community Magazine. August 14, 2012.
- ↑ Kuperinsky, Amy. Ferocious but cute: Baby T. rex headlines a museum weekend. The Star Ledger. April 28, 2012.
- ↑ Petty, Todd. Church Street in Hackettstown will be closed for two hours today, Wednesday, June 13, for 16-foot dinosaur puppet. Warren Reporter. June 13, 2012.
- ↑ Get Ready for Dinosaur Troubadour & His Buddy, T-Rex. Jersey City Free Public Library. June 12, 2012.
- ↑ Cusmano, Tom. T-Rex Sighted at Westfield Library; Reportedly Hungry for Knowledge. The Alternative Press. June 21, 2012.
- ↑ Worth, Marcia.T-Rex Storms South Orange Library. Maplewood Patch. June 26, 2012.
- ↑ Field Station Dinosaurs to bring a T-Rex to the Summit Library. Independent Press. June 26, 2012.
- ↑ A T-Rex in Princeton Princeton Packet. June 28, 2012.
- ↑ Fedchun, Travis. Arts and Music festival in Hoboken to feature artwork, music, and special dinosaur guest. The Jersey Journal. April 28, 2012.
- ↑ Field Station Dinosaurs website