WMU DINOSAUR PARK: AN UPDATE

The Dinosaur Park at Western Michigan University has increased engagement of the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences with the WMU Students, Staff, and Faculty as well as local youth groups, schools, and families. Started in 2018, our park has grown to seven dinosaur replicas with three more planned for future installation. The Dinosaur Park has added an outdoor element to our existing outreach programs, the Schmaltz Geology Museum and the CoreKids program.

In Summer 2022, we worked with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (at WMU) to develop a short course for grandparents and their grandchildren to learn about dinosaurs and visit the park.

Dinosaur replicas have had a positive impact on our general education WMU Essential Studies courses’ enrollment – over this span, GEOS 1050 Dinosaurs! has expanded from 50-75 students to over 300 students in spring 2023. They have also become a recruitment tool used by the College of Arts and Sciences with clips on the college’s social media including a popular “Name Our Dinosaur” contest. We estimate that 5 or more families visit the park each day in the summer months, mainly with children under the age of 10.

There have been challenges with developing the park – infrequent vandalism has required refurbishment and/or replacement of a replica. There were also significant delays in emplacing our more recent acquisitions due to supply chain issues brought-on by the Covid-19 Pandemic, and eventual difficulties in procuring construction supplies and staff to build the concrete pads to stabilize the replicas. In past years, visitors were ticketed for parking in adjacent student lots; parking in the summer is now free in adjacent lots.

To manage these challenges, we recommend having a sustainable source of funding to support the park; in our case funding comes from the Dinosaurs! course fees and private donations. Having a designated faculty or staff member charged with oversight of the park ensures that it remains updated. Good relationships with our landscaping staff ensure that the dinosaurs are maintained and cared for. Last, but not least, press releases ensure that any new residents in the park draw in visitors. Overall the positive interest, visitors, students, and attention we receive due to the park greatly outweighs the challenges.