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. 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. It opened in 2012 under president and chief executive producer, Guy Gsell, a lifelong dinosaur enthusiast. In 2012 it was named Best Local Theme Park by Time Out New York and in 2013 Field Station: Dinosaurs was named the second best dinosaur theme park in the world. Fodor's named Field Station: Dinosaurs one of the World's Best Spots for Dinosaur Lovers on March 6, 2014.
Location
Field Station: Dinosaurs lost its lease on the property to make room for a new campus of the Hudson County Schools of Technology. The Secaucus park closed on September 7, 2015 with record crowds and began its search of a new home. Possible locations included Derby, Kansas and West Milford, New Jersey. 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.
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.
- On Saturday, April 14, Field Station: Dinosaurs hosted a job fair to fill 120 positions they were creating in Hudson County.
- On Wednesday, April 24, 2011, Field Station: Dinosaurs began unpacking the animatronic dinosaurs at the site.
Opening Day
- Field Station: Dinosaurs opened on Saturday, May 26, 2012.
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.
- Labor Day weekend (September 1â€"3), 2012, Field Station: Dinosaurs hosted Dino Blitz to help the NFL kick off its season with football-themed games and prizes.
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
Libraries and Museums
Community Events
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.
Full List of Dinosaurs Featured in the Park
References
