Dinosaur Gardens Prehistoric Zoo - Ossineke, Michigan - Christian nature trail with dinosaur sculptures


Located in Ossineke, Michigan, the Dinosaur Gardens Prehistoric Zoo is a unique tourist experience that draws in thousands of visitors every year. This "zoo'' isn't really a zoo, as there are no live animals. Rather, this park is stocked with replicas of dinosaurs, based on current scientific information and the artist's personal convictions. The Dinosaur Gardens Prehistoric Zoo features over 25 exhibits spread out over 40 acres of scenic trails.

The most popular activity while visiting this park is to enjoy nature while exploring the various full-scale dinosaur statues. These life-sized reproductions are located along trails where visitors can experience undisturbed northern Michigan wilderness. Along with the dinosaurs, guests will see live plants and animals native to this area, living in both the woods and the Devil River, which runs through the gardens. This area is especially well-known for its bird watching opportunities.

After reading about some of the prehistoric creatures that once inhabited the Earth, guests can play a round of miniature golf at the 18-hold Raptors Mini Golf Retreat. Nearby, the park has a gift shop filled with dinosaur items for both kids and adults, and they also provide a snack bar and picnic tables. Visitors can bring their own lunches or choose from the garden's menu, which includes pizza, hot dogs, French fries, popcorn, onion rings, and hamburgers.

Construction on the Dinosaur Gardens Prehistoric Zoo began in the late 1930s with a local artist named Paul N. Domke, Sr., who is better known for his near-by statues of Paul Bunyan, and his wife, Lora Domke. The two frequented the Field Museum in Chicago and the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C., where Paul sketched some of the bones and prehistoric animal displays on display. Once home, he sculpted full models of these creatures, which he used to create displays in the woods he owned. The trails are about a half-mile long from start to finish. There is no tour guide.

Many of the sculpted animals in this park are not scientifically accurate, but rather the artist's interpretation of prehistoric times. Alongside dinosaurs, visitors can also see reproductions of mastodons, cave people, and birds. Plaques along the trail help to guide guests.

Although visitors are asked not to climb on the statues, which are freshly painted annually, there is one interactive display named The Greatest Heart. The Domkes were devote Christians, and although they embraced theories of evolution, they believed that Christian concepts could work hand-in-hand with science. In The Greatest Heart, visitors can walk up a staircase and inside of a Brontosaurus, where Domke created his idea of the heart and lungs of the animal. Inside of the heart frame, he painted a picture of Jesus, with the inscription "the greatest heart of all.'' A large statue of Jesus can also be found at the entrance, holding a globe in his hand.

Ossineke is located on the western side of Lake Huron and is a popular site for religious retreats. They are open from May 15th to Labor Day from 9:00 to 6:00, as well as during weekends in September from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. They offer monthly specials for children, as well as group discounts, and visitors can find out more information by calling 877-823-2408.

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Jun 28, 2011 @ 12:12 pm
These dinosaurs were built by my great Uncle Paul. My Grandma was Hulda Domke. My sister and I visited as kids and had lunch with Uncle Paul and Aunt Lora in the old farm house. Great memories.
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Sep 4, 2016 @ 11:11 am
would like to know pricing an days open an more information on this place would like to bring my boys here once

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