Dinosaur Fossils & Children's Paleo Dig Site

In this Paleo Dig Site, children can look for fossils that have been hidden as well as keep the fossils!

Look closely at the seemingly unremarkable rock next to it. This is a large-foot projection from an Edmontosaurus, a type of hadrosaur or duck-billed dinosaur with short front legs and strong hind legs capable of walking erect or on all fours. They roamed in the Cretaceous period long before a lake existed in this area. This fossil was found on the Graves family's property while rebuilding their home's foundation in 2007 and donated to Standley Lake in hopes that this piece of archaeological history could be shared with the many patrons of the park.

This foot projection was not the only fossil discovered in this area. The palm frond imprint next to the Edmontosaurus foot is another example of the diverse fossils around here. Another track, believed to be a hadrosaur or ceratopsian footprint, was found in a sand trap in Walnut Creek Golf Preserve. This foot projection is featured near the front entrance of West View Recreation Center.

The Denver Basin Study Team initiative, based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, studied and identified these fossils.