Have you ever dreamed of having a dinosaur in your backyard? Not the inflatable kind or a plastic lawn ornament, but a gigantic, realistic, animatronic creature that roars, moves, and looks like it stepped straight out of Jurassic Park. That dream is suddenly within reach if you’ve got the cash and space to handle it. Field Station: Dinosaurs, a beloved New Jersey theme park, is shutting down on November 9 and is selling off more than 30 life-sized dinosaurs on Facebook Marketplace.
From towering predators to nesting herbivores, each dino comes with a price tag ranging between a few hundred dollars to nearly $3,000. For fans, collectors, or just bold homeowners, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own prehistoric history.
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Ever Dreamed of Owning a Dinosaur?
If you’ve ever imagined having a gigantic, realistic-looking dinosaur towering over your backyard, now’s your chance. One New Jersey theme park is shutting down—and in doing so, it’s selling off dozens of its life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. Yes, you read that right: you can actually buy a Spinosaurus, Hadrosaurus, or even a bright blue Parasaurolophus, provided you’ve got a few thousand dollars—and the yard space to match.
Field Station: Dinosaurs, a long-running New Jersey attraction that mixed education with prehistoric spectacle, will officially close its gates on November 9. To give its beloved dinosaurs new homes, the park has listed all of them on Facebook Marketplace.
What’s Up for Sale?
The dinosaurs aren’t your typical lawn ornaments. These are massive, detailed, and in some cases, semi-animated figures designed to give guests an immersive Jurassic experience.
Some highlights include:
- 🦖 52-foot Spinosaurus – Price tag: $2,900
- 🦕 Hadrosaurus with eggs and nest – Price tag: $2,450
- 🐉 Parasaurolophus in bright blue – Price tag: $2,410
These animatronics are more than just static figures. Many come with voice boxes, controls, and limited movement features, letting them roar, growl, and even sway their heads.
In total, 30+ dinosaurs are on the chopping block, ranging from smaller pieces (around $500) to towering centerpieces near $3,000.
And yes—everything must go.
Who Buys a Dinosaur Anyway?
It’s not every day that Facebook Marketplace is filled with prehistoric giants. But that’s exactly what’s happening, and according to the park’s executive producer Guy Gsell, the team is eager to find the dinos good homes.
“Where do 30 plus dinosaurs go when their park closes?” Gsell told NewJersey.com. “Hopefully to a good home—or maybe a few unexpected places. We’re ready to let the public make their best offers. Just be sure you’ve got a big backyard.”
The listings make one thing clear: buyers are responsible for deinstallation and transport costs. The park will provide necessary on-site equipment for moving the creatures, but once purchased, it’s up to the buyer to figure out how to get a 52-foot Spinosaurus out of the park and into their possession. Pick-ups begin after the park officially closes on November 9.
So, if you’ve got access to a flatbed truck, some rigging equipment, and an open backyard—this could be the ultimate conversation starter.
A Brief History of Field Station: Dinosaurs
Field Station: Dinosaurs wasn’t just about animatronics. It was designed as an educational adventure park, where kids and adults could learn about paleontology while walking among life-sized recreations of prehistoric creatures.
- 2012 – The park opened in Secaucus, New Jersey.
- 2015 – Closed to make way for a new high school.
- 2016 – Reopened at the Henry Hoebel Area of Overpeck Park in Leonia, NJ, where it has operated ever since.
Over nearly a decade, the park became a quirky staple in New Jersey, drawing families, school trips, and dino enthusiasts from across the region.
But despite its creative setup, the park couldn’t escape financial strain. Even after an appearance on the Fox reality show The Fixer—which helps struggling small businesses—the boost wasn’t enough to keep Field Station alive.
Dinosaurs With a Price Tag
Most of the animatronics fall in the $500–$3,000 range, which sounds steep until you consider their size, craftsmanship, and mechanical features. Many of these figures were created with precision, modeled after paleontological research, and built to withstand outdoor conditions.
For comparison:
- A life-sized fiberglass T. rex replica can cost over $10,000 if purchased new from a manufacturer.
- Movie-quality animatronic figures can run into the hundreds of thousands.
By that metric, the Facebook Marketplace dinos are almost a bargain for collectors, businesses, or museums. Restaurants, arcades, mini-golf courses, and even eccentric homeowners may see this as the ultimate statement piece.
Final Events Before Closing
Before the last dinosaur leaves, the park is hosting a few farewell events for fans:
Jurassic Petting Zoo
September 27–28
Guests can get up-close encounters with animatronic dinos and enjoy photo opportunities. It’s a last chance for families to see the creatures before they’re packed up and sold.
Dinosaurs After Dark
October 3–25 (Fridays & Saturdays, 7–9:30 pm)
A spooky, lantern-lit tour of the park featuring:
- Games and family activities
- The Dinosaur Séance, where guests “summon” prehistoric spirits in a fun, theatrical show
- New puppets from Palmieri Puppets, designed exclusively for the event
- A dinosaur-themed campfire sing-along with the Dinosaur Troubadour
The event blends comedy, scares, and spectacle—a fitting send-off to a park that always leaned into fun.
Dogs & Dinos
October 13 (10 am–5 pm)
A fan-favorite day where visitors can bring their dogs into the park to enjoy one last stroll among the dinosaurs.
The Pop Culture Factor
Animatronic dinosaurs aren’t just theme park curiosities—they’ve long captured the public’s imagination. From Jurassic Park in the 1990s to Netflix’s Camp Cretaceous today, dinosaur media has proven timeless.
Owning one of these animatronics isn’t just a novelty—it’s like owning a piece of that cultural legacy. Imagine hosting a backyard barbecue with a roaring T. rex in the background, or greeting trick-or-treaters with a life-sized raptor on the lawn.
In a time when unusual items regularly go viral on Facebook Marketplace—whether it’s a haunted doll or a medieval catapult—this dino auction may be one of the strangest (and coolest) listings yet.
What Happens Next?
Once the park shutters, the animatronics will scatter to wherever buyers take them. Some may end up in private collections, others in museums, restaurants, or outdoor exhibits. A few may even get a second life in another attraction.
But no matter where they go, Field Station: Dinosaurs leaves behind a unique mark. For over a decade, it turned a corner of New Jersey into a prehistoric playground—part science lesson, part theatrical spectacle, and all-around family fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Field Station: Dinosaurs closing?
The park is shutting down due to financial challenges, despite efforts to keep it running. Even an appearance on Fox’s The Fixer reality show couldn’t save it.
When is the park officially closing?
Field Station: Dinosaurs will close on November 9, 2025.
How many dinosaurs are for sale?
More than 30 animatronic dinosaurs of various sizes and species are listed for sale.
How much do the dinosaurs cost?
Prices range from about $500 to $3,000, depending on size and complexity.
Where are the dinosaurs being sold?
All listings are available through Facebook Marketplace.
Do the dinosaurs move or make sounds?
Yes. Some feature limited movement, controls, and voice boxes for roars and growls.
Who is responsible for transporting them?
Buyers must cover deinstallation, shipping, and transportation. The park will provide equipment for safe removal.
Conclusion
The closing of Field Station: Dinosaurs marks the end of a quirky, family-friendly New Jersey attraction that brought prehistoric creatures to life for more than a decade. While it’s bittersweet to see the park go, its final act is unlike any other: giving fans, collectors, and curious buyers the chance to take home a piece of prehistoric magic. From towering Spinosauruses to nesting Hadrosauruses, these animatronic giants are more than props—they’re memories of school trips, family outings, and a love of dinosaurs that spans generations.
