About The Trackway at Dinosaur State Park
I have never had the opportunity to frequent the trackway at Dinosaur State Park, or anything at Dinosaur State Park for that matter. It’s on my bucket list. For today though, I’d like to take a look at some of what Dinosaur State Park has to offer for those of you who are considering headed there in the near future.
Where Is The Trackway at Dinosaur State Park
Dinosaur State Park is one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America in Rocky Hill, CT and has been designated a registered Natural Landmark by the U. S. Department of Interior. Underneath a large dome, the State Park harbors a number of fossilized tracks. These tracks were discovered on August 23, 1966 when workers were excavating in order to build a state building.
Identifying the Trackway at Dinosaur State Park
Upon its discovery, the trackway at Dinosaur State Park was named Eubrontes by geologist Edward Hitchcock who made up the name. Strangely enough, there were no remains of Eubrontes in the area. Researchers seem to agree that the shape of the tracks in addition to the spacing between them identify the culprit as a Dilophosaurus or a similar smaller carnivore. The tracks in the State Park measure 10 to 16 inches in length and are spaced 3.5 to 4.5 feet apart.
The Dilophosaurus tracks aren’t the only ones to be found in the area. Close by in August of 2006, an excavator discovered more tracks on a large piece of sandstone. More information about these new dinosaur tracks can be found on the Dinosaur State Park website.
Have you ever visited the park in Connecticut? Leave a comment below and share what you thought about the trackway at Dinosaur State Park.
