sign.jpg

J. Mason Tomlin fourth-grade teacher Bill Falcone (right) and teaching assistant Terri Johanson (left) show a protype of dryptosaurus sign to committee members. (CJ Fairfield | For NJ Advance Media)

MANTUA TOWNSHIP -- Fourth graders from J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School presented to township committee members Monday night asking for a sign commemorating the dryptosaurus aquilunguis.

The dinosaur, a cousin of the tyrannosaurus, was discovered in 1866 in Ceres Park. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the discovery and a sign was asked to be erected in the nearby park.

With the collaboration between Rowan University's fossil park and Bill Falcone's fourth-grade class, students were able to research the dinosaur and participate in a fossil dig earlier this year.

"I think it's important to the kids because it allowed them to use their skills for research and to show the commitment in their town and to do something that will have an impact on their community for many many years to come," said Heather Simmons, associate director of Rowan's fossil park and Gloucester County freeholder.

Simmons said the university took ownership of the park in January, which is located in Mantua, and the town immediately became involved with the site.

"What the students at JMT did with the dryptosaurus, we're hoping to inspire other school districts to become involved and recognize these assets in their hometown," she said.

The fourth-graders were initially asked to draw their depiction of the dinosaur before learning about any of its characteristics.

"We had some real stuff and we had some fun stuff like mohawks and rainbow colors," Falcone said.

After researching the dinosaur, Falcone said the students drew a more realistic rendition of the dinosaur with longer arms and eight-inch talons.

"The dryptosaurus is a really cool dinosaur, he should be the state dinosaur," he added.

The fossil site is not yet open to the public, with exceptions for dig days held a few times a year, but Simmons said the goal is to have a visitor's center on site and to have more community involvement.

According to Simmons, dinosaur assets are all over South Jersey with several in Gloucester County. In the future she would like to see more school districts get involved and show interest in marking those sites.

Currently the college is working with Visit South Jersey to draw attention and tourism to the park.

Mantua Township Mayor Pete Scirrotto said the sign will be erected in Ceres Park in the coming months.

"I think it's one of a kind," Scirrotto said. "Not everyone has dinosaur fossils in their backyard."

In the future, Falcone said he would like for the town to erect a bronze statue in honor of the dinosaur.

"I would love to see something that can be enjoyed by the entire township," he said. "It's something that these kids someday, when they're old like me, can say 'I had a hand in this when I was in fourth grade and got this ball rolling.'"

CJ Fairfield may be reached at cfairfield@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @fairfielc4. Find NJ.com on Facebook.