July 2015

Guy Gsell of Field Station: Dino­saurs in New Jersey asked the City Council to picture the following behind the north water tower on Rock Road (across from the new middle school):

• An edu-tainment experience for kids ages 3 to 11 where they see, hear and touch life-size animatronic dinosaurs and learn it’s cool to grow up and be a scientist.
• A place for school field trips where kids dig for real fossils, explore an indoor ropes course, and play miniature golf among dinosaurs.
• Overnight glamping (glamorous camp­ing) with friends for a birthday party.
• National Dinosaur Camp every summer.

Aug. 25, 2015 Public Hearing

Devel­oper Rick Worner presented new informa­tion about a proposed medical care facility specializing in caring for patients with traumatic brain injury. Worner noted the medical facility, as well as a hotel, restaurant and possibly a daycare would be located north of Patriot Ave. and west of Rock Road.

The public hearing provided time for both elected officials and Derby residents to ask questions of the developer and his partners and share opinions on this project.

Sept. 4, 2015 Site Visit

City officials visited Field Station: Dinosaurs in Secaucus, NJ to get a first-hand view of the park.

Sept. 8, 2015 City Council Meeting

The City Council pass­ed an ordinance establishing the STAR bond project district. The City received a Project Plan which set forth the business case for the STAR bond project.

July 12, 2016 City Council Meeting

The City held a Public Hearing to received feedback from the public on the proposed STAR Bond project. If the City Council approves the Project Plan on July 26 or thereafter, it will then be sent to the Kansas Depart­ment of Commerce for its approval. The State must approve this new development (along with its financial incentive package) so STAR bonds can be issued to fund it. Please note, this project will not increase the sales tax you pay on purchases in Derby.

July 26, 2016 City Council Meeting

The Derby City Council voted 7-1 in favor of the STAR Bond Project.

• The Council adopted an ordinance approving the Project Plan
• The Council adopted an ordinance approving the Development Agreement between the City of Derby and Derby Destination Development, LLC relating to the Derby STAR Bond Project District.

October 21, 2016

The city received word from the Kansas Department of Commerce that it approved $18.9 million in STAR bonds for the Derby project.

March 15, 2017

The city closed on the sale of STAR bonds.

March 1, 2018

A Job Fair was held at Madison Avenue Central Park, 512 E. Madison Ave. in Derby. Applications accepted from 3 to 5 p.m. At 7 p.m., a presentation about the park and types of jobs available was made. Staff interviewed and accepted applications until 9 p.m.

May 26, 2018

Field Station: Dinosaurs opened for Memorial Day weekend.

About Field Station: Dinosaurs

Field Station: Dinosaurs is a world-class dinosaur exhibition and family attraction designed with a firm foundation in the world of science. There is one other Field Station: Dinosaurs open in the world, located in New Jersey.

The Derby exhibit is called "American Dinosaurs! - On the Shores of the Western Inland Seaway." A unique dinosaur exhibition featuring precisely crafted, full-sized animatronic dinosaurs and a fossil dig site is proposed.

Other attractions include:

• An 18-hole miniature golf course (each hole of Jurassic Golf depicts an historic dinosaur in the USA)
• A tri-level ropes course under the dome called the Kansas Climb
• Open-air amphitheater
• Fitness trail

Tri-Level Ropes Course

Field Station: Dinosaurs features the latest in ropes course design. This tri-level course is built under a dome so kids can be active year-round. This is the first ever domed tri-level ropes course in North America. 

Demographics

The target market for Field Station: Dinosaurs is families with children between the ages of 3 and 11. Programming serves students from pre-k through 8th grade, summer camp groups, school groups, and daycare centers.