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Coordinates: 41°39′03″N 72°39′28″W / 41.65083°N 72.65778°W / 41.65083; -72.65778
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox protected area
{{Infobox park
| name = Dinosaur State Park <br>and Arboretum
| name = Dinosaur State Park <br>and Arboretum
| iucn_category =
⚫
| iucn_ref =
<!-- images -->
| photo = Dinosaur State Park (Rocky Hill, CT) - dome.JPG
| photo = Dinosaur State Park (Rocky Hill, CT) - dome.JPG
| photo_caption = The park's geodesic dome
| photo_caption = The park's geodesic dome
| photo_width = 280
<!-- map -->
| map = USA Connecticut#USA
| photo_alt = Dome
⚫
| map = Connecticut#USA
| map_caption = Location in Connecticut
| map_caption = Location in Connecticut
| map_width = 280
| relief = 1
| relief = 1
| label = Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum
<!-- location -->
| location = [[Rocky Hill, Connecticut]], [[United States]]
| location = [[Rocky Hill, Connecticut]], United States
| nearest_city =
| nearest_city =
| nearest_town =
| coordinates = {{coord|41|39|03|N|72|39|28|W|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|41|39|03|N|72|39|28|W|display=inline,title}}
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| area = {{convert|80|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name=pristaff/>
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| length =
| elevation = {{convert|187|ft|m|abbr=on}}
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| length_mi =
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| length_km =
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| width =
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| area_acre = 80
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| area_ref = <ref name=pristaff/>
| elevation = {{convert|187|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|212819|Dinosaur State Park}}</ref>
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| designation = [[List of Connecticut state parks|Connecticut state park]]
<!-- dates & info -->
| established = 1968
| established = 1968
| named_for =
| free_label =
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| free_data =
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| designation = [[List of Connecticut state parks|Connecticut state park]]
⚫
| administrator = [[Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection]]
| visitation_num =
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| visitation_year =
| visitation_ref =
| visitation_ref =
⚫
| status =
⚫
| administrator = [[Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection]]
| website = {{Official website}}
<!-- website, embedded -->
| website = [http://www.dinosaurstatepark.org Dinosaur State Park]
⚫
{{designation list |embed=yes |designation1=NNL |designation1_date=April 1968}}
| embedded =
| embedded =
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{{designation list |embed=yes |designation1=NNL |designation1_date=April 1968}}
⚫
}}'''Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum''' is a state-owned [[natural history]] [[Nature reserve|preserve]] occupying {{convert|80|acre}} in the [[New England town|town]] of [[Rocky Hill, Connecticut]]. The [[state park]] protects one of the largest [[dinosaur]] track sites in [[North America]]. The park was created in recognition of [[fossil]] trackways embedded in [[sandstone]] from the beginning of the [[Jurassic|Jurassic period]], about 200 million years ago.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Galton|first1=Peter M.|last2=Farlow|first2=James O.|date=2003|title=Dinosaur State Park, Connecticut, USA: history, footprints, trackways, exhibits.|url=https://doc.rero.ch/record/208874/files/PAL_E3990.pdf|journal=Zubia|volume=21|pages=129–173}}</ref> The facility is managed by the [[Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection]].<ref name=DEEP/>
}}
⚫
'''Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum''' is a state-owned [[natural history]] [[Nature reserve|preserve]] occupying {{convert|80|acre}} in the [[New England town|town]] of [[Rocky Hill, Connecticut]]. The [[state park]] protects one of the largest [[dinosaur]] track sites in [[North America]]. The park was created in recognition of [[fossil]] trackways embedded in [[sandstone]] from the beginning of the [[Jurassic|Jurassic period]], about 200 million years ago.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Galton|first1=Peter M.|last2=Farlow|first2=James O.|date=2003|title=Dinosaur State Park, Connecticut, USA: History, footprints, trackways, exhibits.|url=https://doc.rero.ch/record/208874/files/PAL_E3990.pdf|journal=Zubia|volume=21|pages=129–173}}</ref> The facility is managed by the [[Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection]].<ref name=DEEP/>


==History==
==History==
Line 58: Line 45:


;Events and activities
;Events and activities
The park offers educational films, guided trail walks, and lectures. Warm-month activities include footprint track casting and mining for gems and fossils.<ref name=DEEP2/> In August, Dinosaur State Park Day offers games, arts and crafts activities, and live music.<ref name=friends/> There is a stone path that leads to the domed museum with a timeline showing the evolution of earth from its creation to today. From May–October visitors can see an outdoor exhibit teaching how paleontologists ply their trade. There are two and a half miles of hiking trails in the park.<ref name=":0" />
The park offers educational films, guided trail walks, and lectures. Warm-month activities include footprint track casting and mining for gems and fossils. In August, Dinosaur State Park Day offers games, arts and crafts activities, and live music.<ref name=DEEP/> There is a stone path that leads to the domed museum with a timeline showing the evolution of earth from its creation to today. From May to October, visitors can see an outdoor exhibit teaching how paleontologists ply their trade. There are two and a half miles of hiking trails in the park.<ref name=":0" />


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Connecticut River Valley trackways]]
*[[Connecticut River Valley trackways]]
*[[Dinosaur Footprints Reservation]]
*[[Dinosaur Footprints Reservation]]
*[[List of botanical gardens in the United States]]
*[[List of fossil sites]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2|refs=
{{reflist|2|refs=
<ref name=DEEP>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325194 |title=Dinosaur State Park |publisher=Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |date=September 2017 |access-date=October 25, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=DEEP>{{cite web |url=https://ctparks.com/parks/dinosaur-state-park |title=Dinosaur State Park |publisher=Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |access-date=August 11, 2024}}</ref>

<ref name=DEEP2>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325190 |title=Footprint Casting at Dinosaur State Park |publisher=Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref>


<ref name=pristaff>{{cite web |url=http://www.cga.ct.gov/pri/docs/2013/State%20Parks%20and%20Forests%20Funding%20Staff%20Findings%20and%20Recommendations%20.pdf |title=Appendix A: List of State Parks and Forests |work=State Parks and Forests: Funding |series=Staff Findings and Recommendations |publisher=Connecticut General Assembly |date=January 23, 2014 |page=A-1 |access-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref>
<ref name=pristaff>{{cite web |url=http://www.cga.ct.gov/pri/docs/2013/State%20Parks%20and%20Forests%20Funding%20Staff%20Findings%20and%20Recommendations%20.pdf |title=Appendix A: List of State Parks and Forests |work=State Parks and Forests: Funding |series=Staff Findings and Recommendations |publisher=Connecticut General Assembly |date=January 23, 2014 |page=A-1 |access-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref>
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|title=Dinosaur Trackway |work=National Natural Landmarks |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=October 25, 2017}}</ref>
|title=Dinosaur Trackway |work=National Natural Landmarks |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=October 25, 2017}}</ref>


<ref name=friends>{{cite web |url=http://www.dinosaurstatepark.org/dspday.htm |title=Dinosaur State Park Day |publisher=Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum |access-date=February 18, 2013 |archive-date=May 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507040705/http://www.dinosaurstatepark.org/dspday.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name=friends2>{{cite web |url=http://www.dinosaurstatepark.org/parkhistory.html |title=History of Dinosaur State Park |publisher=Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum |access-date=August 11, 2024}}</ref>

<ref name=friends2>{{cite web |url=http://www.dinosaurstatepark.org/trackway.htm |title=The Trackway at Dinosaur State Park |publisher=Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum |access-date=July 18, 2013 |archive-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829163626/http://www.dinosaurstatepark.org/trackway.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>


<ref name=friends3>{{cite web |url=http://www.dinosaurstatepark.org/arboretum.htm |title=The Arboretum of Evolution |publisher=Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum |access-date=February 18, 2013 |archive-date=July 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725090959/http://www.dinosaurstatepark.org/arboretum.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name=friends3>{{cite web |url=http://www.dinosaurstatepark.org/arboretum.html |title=The Arboretum of Evolution |publisher=Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum |access-date=August 11, 2024}}</ref>
}}
}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum}}
{{commons category|Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum}}
*[http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325194 Dinosaur State Park] Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
*[https://ctparks.com/parks/dinosaur-state-park Dinosaur State Park] Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
*[http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/stateparks/maps/dino.pdf Dinosaur State Park Map] Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
*[https://ctparks.com/media/416/download?inline Dinosaur State Park Map] Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
*[http://www.dinosaurstatepark.org/ Dinosaur State Park ] Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum
*[http://www.dinosaurstatepark.org/ Dinosaur State Park ] Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum


Latest revision as of 21:07, 11 August 2024

Dinosaur State Park
and Arboretum
Dome
The park's geodesic dome
Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum is located in Connecticut
Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum
Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum
Location in Connecticut
Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum is located in the United States
Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum
Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum
Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum (the United States)
LocationRocky Hill, Connecticut, United States
Coordinates41°39′03″N 72°39′28″W / 41.65083°N 72.65778°W / 41.65083; -72.65778
Area80 acres (32 ha)[1]
Elevation187 ft (57 m)
Established1968
Administered byConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
DesignationConnecticut state park
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata
DesignatedApril 1968

Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum is a state-owned natural history preserve occupying 80 acres (32 ha) in the town of Rocky Hill, Connecticut. The state park protects one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America. The park was created in recognition of fossil trackways embedded in sandstone from the beginning of the Jurassic period, about 200 million years ago.[2] The facility is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.[3]

History

[edit]

The Rocky Hill dinosaur tracks were uncovered in 1966, adding to the extensive legacy of fossil discoveries made in the Connecticut Valley since the 19th century.[3] A bulldozer operator noticed the tracks while excavating the site for a new state office building.[4] The site opened as Dinosaur State Park in 1968, the same year its 7-acre (2.8 ha) dinosaur trackway was memorialized as a Registered National Landmark.[5]

Features

[edit]
Geodesic dome

The park's 55,000-square-foot (5,100 m2) geodesic dome (see picture at right) encloses some 500 tracks while another 1,500 remain buried for preservation. The sandstone layer preserving the tracks is a section of the East Berlin Formation, which corresponds to a sandy lakeshore from the Early Jurassic, over 200 million years ago. The largest and most plentiful footprints bear the name Eubrontes, an ichnogenus (fossilized footprint type) named by geologist Edward Hitchcock. They were probably created by a carnivorous theropod dinosaur similar to Dilophosaurus. The Eubrontes tracks range from 10 to 16 inches (410 mm) in length and are spaced 3.5 to 4.5 feet (1.4 m) apart.[6][2]

Close-up of Eubrontes prints from Dinosaur State Park

In addition to the tracks, the dome houses life-sized dioramas of plants and creatures, including Dilophosaurus, from depict the Triassic and Jurassic periods. Other exhibits include interactive displays; a reconstruction of a geologic foundation; and a historical exhibit depicting highlights of the unearthing of the tracks in 1966. The discovery room houses a blue-tongued skink, ball python, and dinosaur-related arts and crafts. Rock slabs with other Connecticut Valley fossil tracks, including large four-toed Otozoum tracks with visible skin impressions, can also be seen.[4]

Arboretum

The arboretum's 2 miles (3.2 km) of trails pass through some 250 species and cultivars of conifers, plus collections of arborvitae, chamaecyparis, ginkgo, juniper, katsura, pine, sequoia, and magnolia. Rarer species in the collection include the evergreen southern magnolia and monkey puzzle. The addition of woody plants from Cretaceous angiosperm families has been part of the arboretum's attempt to grow as many representatives of Mesozoic-era plant families as the site's New England climate will allow.[7]

Events and activities

The park offers educational films, guided trail walks, and lectures. Warm-month activities include footprint track casting and mining for gems and fossils. In August, Dinosaur State Park Day offers games, arts and crafts activities, and live music.[3] There is a stone path that leads to the domed museum with a timeline showing the evolution of earth from its creation to today. From May to October, visitors can see an outdoor exhibit teaching how paleontologists ply their trade. There are two and a half miles of hiking trails in the park.[6]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Appendix A: List of State Parks and Forests" (PDF). State Parks and Forests: Funding. Staff Findings and Recommendations. Connecticut General Assembly. January 23, 2014. p. A-1. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Galton, Peter M.; Farlow, James O. (2003). "Dinosaur State Park, Connecticut, USA: History, footprints, trackways, exhibits" (PDF). Zubia. 21: 129–173.
  3. ^ a b c "Dinosaur State Park". Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "History of Dinosaur State Park". Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  5. ^ "Dinosaur Trackway". National Natural Landmarks. National Park Service. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Filipov, David (March 14, 2010). "On the trail of a predator, 200 million years later". Boston.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  7. ^ "The Arboretum of Evolution". Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
[edit]
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