Field Station: Dinosaurs

Kansas park

Field Station: Dinosaurs in Kansas
Location	2999 North Rock Road Derby, Kansas 67036
Opened	2018
Operating season	May through November
Area	14 acres (5.7 ha)
Website	kansasdinos.com

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]

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. 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, the attraction was housed on a temporary site in the Leonia portion of Overpeck County Park before moving to its permanent location in Teaneck, New Jersey in 2017, occupying approximately 30 acres in an undeveloped part of the Overpeck County Park alongside Teaneck Creek.^[14][15][16]

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. The Yurt serves as the Commander's Tent where Season Pass and Commander's Passholders can rest in air-conditioned comfort and enjoy exclusive programming.

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][17] 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.

To the left and right of the entrance to the Field Station: Dinosaurs park is North America's first 'Challenge Dome' ropes course and an 18 hold miniature golf course called 'Jurassic Golf'. Tickets to the Challenge Dome and Jurassic Golf course are available on their own or discounted when purchased in combination with a ticket to Field Station: Dinosaurs.^[18][19]

The Kansas exhibitions are:

Challenge Dome[]

The first Hilo Challenge Dome in the United States will be at Field Station: Dinosaurs in Derby, Kansas.^[20] The Hilo Challenge Dome takes the concept of a ropes course but integrates it with aerial features within the dome structure. It will provide physical activity and a unique atmosphere for ages two and up. This multi-level dome gets more challenging with each level. The three levels are 35 inches, ten feet, and 22 feet off the ground where families can expect a new type of connection, safe environment for risk taking, and confidence building.^[21]

Jurassic Golf[]

Jurassic Golf is a dinosaur-themed miniature golf course.^[22]

Paleontologists' Laboratory[]

The Paleontologists' Laboratory is a Junior Bone-Hunters dig for real fossils from the age of the dinosaurs. This is a hands-on activity and kids can take home their findings in a pouch.

Attractions[]

The parks are marketed to families with younger children (11 and under). Over 30 life-size, animatronic dinosaurs come to life thanks to the engineering of the world's leading roboticists and the imagination of their creators.

And at the center of it all is the fun, the joy, the excitement and the learning experience. Field Station: Dinosaurs takes every family on a wild adventure – full of mystery, surprise and a sense of awe. Walk along the trails or participate in over 30 live shows, games and activities, which are all included in the Day Pass and the Season's Pass admission price.

Education[]

The educational programming at Field Station: Dinosaurs serves a regional audience of students, summer camp groups, and daycare centers. A partnership with Bighorn Basin Paleontological Institute ensures quality lessons that teach scientists’ most current discoveries.

Examples include:

• Paleontologists’ Laboratory - a Junior Bone Hunters dig for actual fossils from the age of the dinosaurs at the Field Station. After the hands-on science activity, kids can take home their Mesozoic findings.
• Interactive singing and dancing alongside the Dinosaur Troubador.
• Meet the Mighty T. rex and help the fearless Dinosaur Wrangler and the Dinosaur Troubadour use the Scientific Method to study the eating habits of everyone's favorite carnivore.
• Olympics-style competition perfect for all ages. Every event is a dinosaur-themed test of skill, knowledge, or just luck!
• Classes on the art of paleo paper folding.
• The fossil dig site has giant dinosaur skeletons and real prehistoric fossils lurking beneath the surface just waiting to be found. Kids can talk to the paleontologists and see what it's like to work on a real scientific expedition.

Field Station: Dinosaurs has three seasons in which they operate: spring, summer and fall. During the summer season, the park is open rain or shine Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Also open Independence Day, July 4 and Labor Day, September 3. The park is closed on Mondays unless noted. During the spring season, the park is open rain or shine on Saturdays and Sundays only from 10am to 6pm. Also open Memorial Day, May 28. The park is closed on Mondays unless noted. During the fall season, the park is open rain or shine on Saturdays and Sundays only from 10am to 5pm. The park is closed on Mondays unless noted.

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.^[23]

List of dinosaurs[]

The following dinosaurs are featured in the parks.^[24][25]

References[]

External links[]

• New Jersey park
• Kansas park