FARMINGDALE – Dinosaurs appeared upon the trail adjacent to the community center, marking their triumphant return to the area since prehistoric times.
As visitors ventured into the captivating world of the Dinosaur Adventure trail, they first encountered a pair of colossal dinosaurs. The two playfully gave chase to excited children, setting the tone for a journey through the days when the extinct creatures roamed the earth.
Members of the Farmingdale Recreation Commission came up with the idea for the dinosaur trail and invested a great deal of time and creativity to make it come to life. Strains of the iconic Jurassic Park soundtrack played softly in the background as exhibits on the trail unfolded as part of an original fictional tale.
“My mom, Kat Ivins, and I put together the story,” shared Kella MacPhee, a member of the Recreation Commission. “We wanted to revolve it around Farmingdale and personalize it with the Farmingdale Museum and the fossils found in Farmingdale.”
Local artist Dave Castaldo created the gigantic murals that are showcased in the Dinosaur Trail. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
“We also wanted to make it really interactive,” MacPhee continued, “So that the kids would learn something along the way and not just see some big scary dinosaurs.”
A paleontology dig site for young explorers allowed children to uncover pieces and match them together as parts of a puzzle.
Armed with explorer supplies, the story’s main character, Zack, ventured into the woods and discovered a huge hidden nest with some very large eggs. One exhibit not only showcased the eggs, but the welcoming of a brand-new baby dinosaur.
Zack’s expedition brought him to a detailed area map that pinpointed the diverse array of dinosaurs that once dominated Farmingdale and the surrounding towns.
Among the formidable creatures were the iconic T-Rex, immense brontosaurus, the spiky-backed stegosaurus, the horned triceratops, and the lightning-fast velociraptor, each displayed in larger than life form courtesy of a local artist.
Dave Castaldo painted the gigantic dinosaur murals that dotted the way through the trail. Signs warning not to feed the dinosaurs were scattered throughout, and a roped off area contained large bones presumed to be from ancient times.
Humorous signs lent flavor and fun. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
“Farmingdale is actually known for dinosaurs,” MacPhee said. “There’s a really famous dinosaur artist that was featured in the Smithsonian and a third dinosaur artist as well.”
The town is also renowned for meticulously crafted dinosaur sculptures that were once displayed within Allaire State Park. Robin Ruggiero of Brick took years to create the figures, using objects from nature to do so. Approximately one year ago, vandals destroyed the intricate works of art.
MacPhee estimated the debut of the Dinosaur Trail drew in a crowd of roughly 300 attendees, many of them accompanied by their young children. Inside the community center, families had the opportunity to engage in an assortment of other activities.
A dedicated stage, complete with dinosaur figures, provided a platform for young imaginations to soar as they created and put on their own puppet shows. A captivating display showcased fossils, accompanied by informative details about their prehistoric origins.
A puppet theater allowed kids to come up with their own stories in a land before time. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Adults and children alike had the opportunity to color sheets featuring the prehistoric creatures. Some even took time to repeat some of the Dino Jokes hung on the wall for lots of giggles.
It turns out that Farmingdale’s not the only New Jersey town to feel a connection to dinosaurs. The state is home to the discovery of the very first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton found virtually intact anywhere across the globe. This find occurred south of Farmingdale in Haddonfield, a Camden County town not far from the Pennsylvania border.
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