A Hands-On Prehistoric Adventure for Families
Field Station: Dinosaurs is an outdoor educational attraction built around the idea of immersing young visitors in the world of dinosaurs. Aimed primarily at children in early elementary school, the park blends life-sized robotic creatures with hands-on science activities and stage performances. The project was conceived by Guy Gsell, whose goal was to pair entertainment with accessible paleontology.
Origins and National Recognition
The first park debuted in 2012 in northern New Jersey and quickly drew national attention for its unusual format. That same year, it earned praise as a standout local attraction, and two years later it appeared on a list of top global destinations for dinosaur enthusiasts. A second park, located in Derby, Kansas, opened in 2018, bringing the concept to the Midwest. After the New Jersey site closed on November 9, 2025, the Kansas location became the sole operating park.
Movements and Milestones in New Jersey
The New Jersey park had a nomadic history, beginning at Snake Hill in Secaucus before relocating to Overpeck County Park in Leonia in 2016. Lease expirations and redevelopment projects prompted each move. Over its final seasons, the park became increasingly focused on science programming, school group visits, and performance-based learning. Despite efforts to shift to nonprofit status and negotiate a new agreement with the county, the park’s last season in New Jersey concluded in November 2025. Much of its animatronic collection was offered for sale or relocation.
Attractions and Signature Experiences
Each site featured a series of thematic zones, from entry areas offering activity “passports” to amphitheaters hosting musical shows and interactive fossil demonstrations. Trails showcased an array of animatronic dinosaurs, including towering species like Argentinosaurus and classic favorites such as Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex. The Kansas park continues to present dozens of robotic creatures and a full lineup of daily shows, preserving the project’s emphasis on lively, family-centered science education.
Visiting the Park For the First and Last Time
I had been wanting to add Field Station: Dinosaurs to the Route 1 Views collection for several years. How could you not? It’s such a weird and interesting place, reminiscent of the kitschy roadside attractions that flourished decades ago. Upon learning the park was closing, I managed to stop by on its last weekend.
It’s always a bittersweet experience going somewhere that is about to close. It’s clear that the attractions needed some maintenance – a few of the speakers that projected the roars and snorts of the animatronic inhabitants crackled, and some of the dinos themselves were showing wear from the elements. But it also had an undeniable appeal to my inner six-year old. Where else can you see full-sized replicas on these great beasts? There’s something undeniably cool about that, no matter what age you are. The park wasn’t enormous, but it was bigger than it looked on entry thanks to some waterfront trails.
What was clear was that a lot of thought, effort, and creativity had gone into the displays, which were accompanied by signs with fun facts. Though the park is clearly geared towards kids – with a bouncy castle, fossil hunts, and even a small maze, this place would be a blast to explore with a little one! – there was definitely more than enough to make the visit worth it as an adult. According to the woman selling tickets, the exhibits don’t get loose and eat the visitors very often either, which was a concern I had asked about before we went in after seeing a documentary on such a thing happening at another dinosaur park…