FLORENCE — The Pinal County Board of Supervisors hopes you and the family are all in for a roaring good time.
The supervisors today unanimously approved a special use permit to construct and operate a proposed dinosaur-themed educational park at the corner of State Route 84 and Green Road. Dubbed Sky Village Dino Park, it’s about a 15-minute drive south of city limits.
The 10-acre park will let children — and their dino-loving parents and guardians — experience the Mesozoiac Era in person. That’s the period 252 million to 60 million years ago when nearly every dinosaur imaginable walked the earth.
The park will house a Pangaea’s worth of replica dinosaurs, with the tallest standing roughly 10 feet tall.
Also planned is a tram running along the perimeter of the park and a “dino experience” zone where children can ride small dinosaurs or try their hand at excavating fossils. The park will see the construction of a ticket office, restrooms and a tram station.
Supervisor Rich Vitiello (R), who represents Maricopa and its surrounding communities at the county seat, was excited for the upcoming park.
“It’s awesome,” he told InMaricopa after a “slam-dunk” yes vote. “He’s taking a risk but what a fun thing because kids love dinosaurs. I just think it’s a great thing to bring to the community and I’m looking forward to it.”
News of the park first arrived in June through signs announcing a public hearing the following month. On July 17, the Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the permit.
So far, construction plans and a timeline to opening day have not been announced.
