Cover photo: WMU Facilities Management
PARDON OUR EDITORIAL DUST: This article is currently under construction and will be republished in June 2025.
Travel Back in Prehistoric Time with Dinosaur Park
Do you have a kid who digs dinos?
Western Michigan University’s Dinosaur Park has become one of our favorite dinosaur exhibits in Michigan.
It started with six prehistoric residents in 2021.
The group of dinosaurs grew by 15 feet in June of 2022 with the addition of a massive Brachiosaurus.
And in March 2024, the group expanded by three, thanks to a generous donation from the Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society (KGMS).
These scale-model replicas are free to visit and offer an immersive experience for future paleontologists, geologists and other curious visitors.
Plan your next visit with these prehistoric pals hiding in plain sight on Western’s campus:
In this article
Things to Do at Dinosaur Park
1 – Visit the Dinosaurs
2 – Take Some Dino Selfies
3 – Bring a Lunch and Dine Outside
4 – Excavate the Bone Yard
5 – Make a Museum Stop
Since you’re next door to Rood Hall, visit The Schmaltz Geology and Mineral Museum, located on the first floor of the building.
Museum Collections include the following:
• The Kelley Collection of fossil and modern shark teeth
• The James Duncan mineral and agate collection
• A Michigan copper boulder
• An ultraviolet fluorescent display
• Mastodon fossils from Van Buren County, MI
• World-class fossil and mineral specimens
• An interactive augmented reality sandbox
Museum Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Visitor Note: WMU classes are held at Rood Hall; please be respectful of the students and staff.
2 – How many dinosaurs reside at Dinosaur Park?
There are eight different types of dinosaurs:
1 – Brachiosaurus
2 – Spinosaurus
3 – Triceratops
4 – Stegosaurus
5 – Utahraptor
6 – Parasaurolophus
7 – Allosaurus
8 – Dilophosaurus
There are two Utahraptors and two Dilophosauruses, bringing the total statue count to 10.
3 – How big are the dinosaurs?
Bigger than a breadbox- or a fourth-grader.
These scale-model sculptures are large enough to enjoy visiting but not so large that kids find them scary.
Safety Note: The dinosaurs are a “look but don’t touch” exhibit. Visitors should not touch or climb on the statues.
4 – Where can I park when visiting Dinosaur Park?
The closest parking lot is behind Sangren Hall or near the Bernhard Center. Please park at the meters.
5 – When can I visit Dinosaur Park?
Dinosaur Park is open 365 days a year. Since the statues are all outside, you can visit whenever you want.
Meet the Trio of Dinos Added in March 2024
Due to the generosity of the Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society (KGMS), three new statues joined Dinosaur Park in early 2024.
The donation included one Allosaurus and two Dilophosaurus statues.
You may recall the Dilophosaurus from some pretty dramatic moments in the original Jurassic Park movie.
While they did live during the Jurassic period, much of their depiction was untrue: Dilophosauruses did not spit poison and were much larger than shown in the film.
However, it did make for some pretty memorable scenes!
📷: Lloyd Schmaltz Geology and Mineral Museum
What is the KGMS?
The Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society (KGMS) is 501(c)(3) educational organization whose primary purpose is to further interest in gems, minerals, geology, paleontology, and lapidary arts.
KGMS’s philanthropy does not end with these dinosaurs. This group regularly donates funds to support WMU’s students through scholarships and research grants.
This club has been in Kalamazoo for over 65 years. It also hosts the annual Kalamazoo Rock and Mineral Show at the Expo Center (May 2-4, 2025) and has a FREE kids club!
KGMS meets on the first Tuesday of the month at The Portage Senior Center at 7:00 PM, with social time at 6:30 PM. They are always open to new members.
Why Did KGMS Donate Three Dinosaurs?
We had the pleasure of speaking with David Haas, KGMS President, about the dinosaurs:
“Western Michigan has been such an incredible partner with KGMS for decades. This is one way we could give back to the university.”
Haas also indicated the desire to educate younger generations:
“We would love to inspire children to pursue the natural sciences as a career. Dinosaur Park is one way to get kids excited about geology and related fields.”
Dinosaur Park is Still Evolving
Although dinosaurs are extinct, this park continues to evolve.
While the pandemic slowed its initial momentum, Western Michigan’s Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences continues expanding Dinosaur Park.
This means more dinosaurs, plant life, lighting, and geological installations.
Have you visited Dinosaur Park?
Leave us a comment with your experience, and let us know how it went!
More to Explore
What are the days and times to see the dinosaurs?
What are the days and times to see the exhibit?
Any day or time! They are outside, so families can visit whenever they want. Parking on campus is easier on weekends, so that may be more convenient.
It’s free
What date will the dinosaurs be gone by?
The dinosaurs are now residents on Western Michigan’s campus. We don’t think they are going anywhere!
Where did you park? I don’t want a ticket.
We’ve linked to Western’s parking department in this article for more specifics. Parking is easier on weekends when school is not in session.
Sorry if this is an odd question, but do you know if there are picnic tables in the area?
No picnic tables nearby that we have seen, but we recall seeing some benches not too far away.
Is parking free on the weekend?