Prehistoric Payment Drama: Field Station Dinosaurs Sale Finalized After Atlantic City Standoff

The beloved Bergen County animatronics are officially headed to the AC Boardwalk—but the deal almost went extinct

file photo courtesy of Field Station: Dinosaurs

the staff of the Ridgewood  blog

LEONIA, NJ – It was a transaction millions of years (and a few bounced checks) in the making. Guy Gsell, executive producer of Field Station: Dinosaurs, confirmed today that the sale of the park’s iconic collection to the Showboat Resort in Atlantic City has finally been settled after a high-stakes financial drama.

The move marks the end of an era for Overpeck County Park, but ensures that New Jersey’s favorite life-sized giants stay within the Garden State.

A Sale on the Brink of Extinction

While the deal for more than 30 animatronic dinosaurs was signed shortly after the park’s mid-November closure, the path to Atlantic City was anything but smooth. According to park officials, the transaction nearly devolved into a legal battle.

The Timeline of the Dispute:

• The Handshake: Showboat owner Bart Blatstein and partner Bruce Bottomley agreed to purchase the collection in October.

• The “Stop Payment” Shock: After two initial payments appeared to clear, the dinosaurs were loaded onto trucks. However, five days later, the payments were reversed via stop-payment orders.

• The Ghosting: Gsell alleged that a promised wire transfer never arrived, and the account numbers provided didn’t match, leading to a total communication breakdown.

• The Rescue Mission: Faced with the prospect of losing their assets without payment, Field Station staff launched a $30,000 GoFundMe campaign to hire attorneys and recover the exhibits.

“We thought we had hit on something really good… keeping them in New Jersey,” Gsell previously stated. “Then this happens. It’s kind of heartbreaking.”

The Resolution: A Holiday Miracle on the Boardwalk

The tension finally broke on Monday, Dec. 15, when Gsell confirmed that full payment had been received. With the funds secured, the park is moving forward with the final stages of the relocation.

Most of the prehistoric cargo has already arrived at the Showboat Resort. In fact, eagle-eyed fans have already spotted the dinosaurs via social media, appearing among holiday lights and decorations on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

What’s Left in Bergen County?

While the majority of the pack is heading south, a few remnants remain:

• The Leonia T-Rex: One special T. rex was donated to the town of Leonia and will remain on permanent display on Station Parkway.

• Last Bits of Cargo: A few dinosaur legs, tails, and two Pteranodons packed in shipping containers are currently waiting for their final ride out of Overpeck Park.

A Big Win for Atlantic City Tourism

The acquisition fits perfectly into Showboat’s massive pivot toward family-friendly entertainment. Last year, the resort was awarded a $4.2 million Atlantic City Revitalization Grant to expand its non-gaming attractions.

“We are glad that the dinosaurs will continue to entertain and educate New Jersey children for years to come,” Gsell concluded, ending the “dino-drama” on a high note.

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