New MLS dino trail readies for opening even as save-the-old-bronto efforts continue

It's a tale of two dinosaur trails at the Museum of Life and Science these days.

And although most of the attention has been focused on the machete machinations of some teenagers against a beloved old brontosaurus that survived the high winds of Hurricane Fran in the late 90s, the Museum's gearing up for a brand new trail to open next month, replete with the latest scientific research on life in the Late Cretaceous period.

The MLS raised $1.375 million -- half from the '03 County bond issue, the remainder from private donations -- to rebuild the much-missed dino trail, and now the popular destination has announced the grand opening date for the new trail: Saturday, July 25. MLS members can enjoy a special early preview July 11-19.

The ribbon-cutting is set for 9:30am that day, with special shuttles running from Brogden Middle School to accomodate the crowds. (Though folks, remember what we all learned from Jurassic Park -- if Jeff Goldblum is there at the trail looking skeptical and worried, run!)

Also added in the 2009 edition of the dinosaur trail: a Fossil Dig Site containing marine fossils between 23 and 5 million years old.

According to the Museum:

A team of paleontologists, paleoartists, and exhibit fabricators were assembled. Led by well-known paleoartist Bob Walters, the team at Walters & Kissinger Dinosaur Art Studio in Philadelphia, PA created detailed illustrations and small 3D models of each dinosaur. Paleontologists from around the country and Chuck Pell, a local biomimeticist (the study of structure and function of biological systems) and long-time Museum collaborator, provided feedback to ensure the drawings and small models accurately depicted the most current fossil evidence and research.
 
Studio Y Creations in Canada were brought onboard to make full-scale sculptures of each dinosaur. “They used a 3D scanner to measure the exact dimensions and contours of the small models,” says Connor. Once scanned, a computer and router used the measurements to create large-scale styrofoam versions of the small models, which were then supported by a permanent steel skeleton. The life-sized sculptures were coated with a fast-drying plastic, painted and sealed. Finally, each dinosaur was bubble wrapped and shipped to the Museum for assembly and installation on the trail.

 

Meanwhile, fundraising for the restoration of the old (and not-so-scientifically-accurate anymore) bronto along the North-South Greenway kicked off this weekend at an American Tobacco concert. The $2,000 pledge from Bronto Software towards the restoration has been joined by another $1,000 from an anonymous donor.

The N&O's Jim Wise, who's reported on this story more than anyone else locally, also shared last week one potential logo for the fundraising campaign to restore the now headless dino to its original intact herbivorous state.

Comments

[Matt]

"if Jeff Goldblum is there at the trail looking skeptical and worried, run!"

I could have gone *all day* without reading that, thank you.