Bankrupt NJ Theme Park Sells Animatronic Dinosaurs on Facebook Marketplace
▼ Summary
– Field Station: Dinosaurs theme park in New Jersey is closing on November 9 and selling all its life-sized dinosaur statues on Facebook Marketplace.
– The dinosaurs range in price from about $500 to nearly $3,000, with examples including a 52-foot Spinosaurus for $2,900 and a Hadrosaurus with eggs for $2,450.
– Buyers are responsible for deinstallation and transportation costs, but the park will provide necessary equipment for pickup after November 9.
– The park is hosting final events like a “Jurassic Petting Zoo” in late September and “Dinosaurs After Dark” throughout October for visitors to experience before closure.
– The theme park originally opened in Secaucus in 2012, relocated to Leonia in 2016, and recently appeared on a Fox reality show for struggling businesses.
Imagine a herd of life-sized, prehistoric creatures suddenly becoming available for purchase online. A bankrupt New Jersey theme park is selling its entire collection of animatronic dinosaurs through Facebook Marketplace, offering a unique opportunity for buyers with substantial space and a passion for paleontology. The park, Field Station: Dinosaurs, is permanently closing its gates on November 9th, prompting this massive liquidation of its assets.
The inventory includes a remarkable array of dinosaurs, such as a massive 52-foot-long Spinosaurus priced at $2,900, a Hadrosaurus complete with a nest and eggs for $2,450, and a vividly colored blue Parasaurolophus available for $2,410. Many of these figures are not static; they feature limited movement capabilities and voice boxes, complete with their own control systems. The park’s executive producer, Guy Gsell, expressed the hope that these creatures would find good homes, perhaps in some unexpected locations, and encouraged the public to submit their best offers, with the caveat that a large backyard is a definite prerequisite.
Originally opening in Secaucus back in 2012, the park was forced to close in 2015 to make way for the construction of a new high school. It found a new lease on life in 2016 when it relocated to the Henry Hoebel Area of Overpeck Park in Leonia. The price tags on these prehistoric beasts vary significantly, ranging from approximately $500 for smaller models to nearly $3,000 for the largest specimens. The listings make it clear that prospective buyers are fully responsible for all costs related to de-installation and transportation, though the park will ensure the necessary equipment is available on-site for the process. Pickup can be arranged after the November 9th closure date.
Despite a recent appearance on the Fox reality program The Fixer, which aims to assist struggling small businesses, the park could not secure a sustainable future. For those wishing to experience the attraction one last time, several final events are scheduled. A “Jurassic Petting Zoo” is set for September 27th and 28th, offering visitors intimate encounters and fantastic photo opportunities with the dinosaurs.
Additionally, a special “Dinosaurs After Dark” event will run on Friday and Saturday nights from October 3rd through October 25th, between 7:00 and 9:30 PM. This spooky, family-friendly adventure includes a lantern-lit tour of the park, games and activities where every participant is a winner, and “The Dinosaur Séance.” This mysterious thrill ride ventures into the shadowy realm of dinosaur ghosts, guided by what is billed as America’s only Mesozoic medium and Cretaceous conjurer. The show, which blends scares with humor, features new puppets created by the acclaimed Palmieri Puppets. The evening concludes with everyone gathering around a campfire for a dinosaur-themed song-a-long with the Dinosaur Troubadour. With limited tickets available, reservations are highly recommended.
For a truly unique outing, the park is also hosting a “Dogs & Dinos” day on Monday, October 13th, from 10 AM to 5 PM, where visitors are welcome to bring their canine companions along for the experience.
(Source: Gizmodo)
