Business & Tech
Saved From Extinction, Dinosaur Attraction Has Successful First Bergen County Season
A fire and a hot July meant a rocky start for Field Station: Dinosaurs in Overpeck Park. But things got better.
LEONIA, N.J. — It was a rocky start for Field Station: Dinosaurs.
The park was saved from extinction and moved to Overpeck Park in Leonia earlier this year after losing its lease on its longtime Secaucus location. The move is temporary as the park will relocate to another, larger area of Overpeck in Teaneck next year.
The park's 34 life-size, animatronic reptiles debuted after Memorial Day — just weeks after a fire destroyed a 90-foot long foam dinosaur.
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The hot summer temperatures did not help matters, said founder Guy Gsell.
RELATED: Fire Destroys 90-Foot-Long Foam Dinosaur In Overpeck Park
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"Once we got on our feet, things started going very well," Gsell said. "We're very happy to be in Bergen County."
"They're not that far apart, so we didn't lose anybody and we did start to see residents from the neighboring towns, they were our biggest draw," Gsell said. "I think people know Overpeck Park. They are familiar with it and we increased our attendance of people from Manhattan's Upper West Side, since they are right over the river."
RELATED: Dinosaurs Invading Bergen County Park
High July temperatures kept a lot of people away from the park, but attendance picked up after temperatures cooled down in August.
"We had some really high attendance days in August," Gsell said.
Moving to Overpeck Park gave park designers the chance to take advantage of its unique features, including the water, despite being on only eight acres of land. The facility was on 18 acres in Secaucus.
"We like to have as natural of an environment as possible," Gsell said. "We have waterfront dinosaurs, which are really cool."
Gsell said more dinosaurs will be added to the park next year when it relocates.
"It will still feel like you're in the woods," Gsell said. "We want people, especially kids, to discover the dinosaurs for themselves. The more natural, the better."
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Kids interact with one of the 30 aniamatronic dinosaurs from Field Station: Dinosaurs Photo courtesy of Field Station: Dinosaurs
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