"Jersey's Jurassic Legacy Lives On: Giant Dinosaurs Set to Roam New Jersey Shore"
In a surprising turn of events, the iconic Field Station dinosaur exhibit in Leonia is closing its doors after 14 years, but the beloved life-sized animatronic dinosaurs aren't saying goodbye just yet. The herd of 31 roaring creatures, including a T-Rex, Triceratops, and Velociraptors, has been relocated to a new home along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, courtesy of Showboat Atlantic City.
The sale marks the end of an era for Field Station's founder and executive producer Guy Gsell, who poured his heart and soul into creating the hybrid outdoor dinosaur exhibit that became a staple in New Jersey. Gsell had envisioned a permanent home for the dinosaurs, ensuring they would remain together and thrive in their new surroundings.
"We're like the family who moves from a house to an apartment and has to give away their pets," Gsell explained in a recent interview. "We wanted to make sure that the pets had a nice place to go and that they stayed together."
The sale process was anything but ordinary, with inquiries pouring in from around the globe, including zoos and wealthy collectors eager to bring a piece of prehistoric history into their homes.
As the Field Station dinosaurs embark on their new journey, Gsell reflected on the impact his creation had on generations of children. The park's final weekend promises to be a nostalgic affair, with a lineup of fan favorites, live performances, and educational programming.
For Gsell, it's been an emotional rollercoaster, watching as his childhood fascination with dinosaurs has inspired countless kids over the years. "To think that I gave that to basically a whole other generation of kids makes it very gratifying for me," he said.
As the Field Station herd takes its final bow in Leonia, fans can look forward to seeing their beloved dinosaurs thrive along the Jersey Shore, bringing a touch of prehistoric wonder to Atlantic City's boardwalk.
In a surprising turn of events, the iconic Field Station dinosaur exhibit in Leonia is closing its doors after 14 years, but the beloved life-sized animatronic dinosaurs aren't saying goodbye just yet. The herd of 31 roaring creatures, including a T-Rex, Triceratops, and Velociraptors, has been relocated to a new home along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, courtesy of Showboat Atlantic City.
The sale marks the end of an era for Field Station's founder and executive producer Guy Gsell, who poured his heart and soul into creating the hybrid outdoor dinosaur exhibit that became a staple in New Jersey. Gsell had envisioned a permanent home for the dinosaurs, ensuring they would remain together and thrive in their new surroundings.
"We're like the family who moves from a house to an apartment and has to give away their pets," Gsell explained in a recent interview. "We wanted to make sure that the pets had a nice place to go and that they stayed together."
The sale process was anything but ordinary, with inquiries pouring in from around the globe, including zoos and wealthy collectors eager to bring a piece of prehistoric history into their homes.
As the Field Station dinosaurs embark on their new journey, Gsell reflected on the impact his creation had on generations of children. The park's final weekend promises to be a nostalgic affair, with a lineup of fan favorites, live performances, and educational programming.
For Gsell, it's been an emotional rollercoaster, watching as his childhood fascination with dinosaurs has inspired countless kids over the years. "To think that I gave that to basically a whole other generation of kids makes it very gratifying for me," he said.
As the Field Station herd takes its final bow in Leonia, fans can look forward to seeing their beloved dinosaurs thrive along the Jersey Shore, bringing a touch of prehistoric wonder to Atlantic City's boardwalk.