- Attraction: Jurustic Park
- Location: 112021 Old Sugarbush Ln, Marshfield, WI 54449
- Industry: Sculpture Park
- Website: https://www.jurustic.com/
Step into a world where rusted metal comes alive and extinct “Iron Age” creatures roam freely through a whimsical woodland setting.
Created by retired attorney turned self-proclaimed “amateur paleontologist” Clyde Wynia, Jurustic Park transforms discarded scrap metal into hundreds of imaginative sculptures that tell the tall tale of creatures who once inhabited the nearby McMillan Marsh.
What started in 1993 as one man’s creative vision has blossomed into a folk art wonderland that draws over 15,000 visitors annually from around the globe.
You’ll encounter everything from towering 20-foot dragons to palm-sized iron snails, each with its own backstory and built-in humor that reflects Clyde’s deadpan wit and love of really bad puns.
Remarkable Metal Menagerie
Articulated Dragons: The park’s crown jewels are massive metal dragons that actually move when you pull their cables, creating an interactive experience that delights visitors of all ages. These aren’t your typical fairy tale dragons—they’re crafted with intricate details and mechanical elements that bring them to life.
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Keep Exploring →Cleverly Named Creatures: Every sculpture has a witty moniker and backstory. You’ll meet the America On Line Fish with scales made from old AOL compact disks, the Kevorkian Gunslinger (a frog brandishing a U-shaped rifle), and the Naval Dragon sporting a notably protruding belly button. Down Payment on a Horse is a skeletal horse head crafted entirely from socket wrenches.
Interactive Elements: Many sculptures are designed to wiggle, clang, and move. The Bottle Rocket literally fires skyward, while the Marsh Cow features a Stegosaurus-like spine made of shovel blades. You’ll find yourself discovering new mechanical surprises throughout your visit.
Size Variety: The collection ranges from tiny creatures that could fit in your palm to behemoths over 20 feet tall. This incredible diversity means there’s something fascinating to discover at every turn, whether you’re examining intricate details up close or marveling at the impressive scale of larger installations.
Themed Collections: Beyond individual creatures, you’ll find entire scenes like Town Board Meeting, featuring frogs attacking and strangling each other, providing both visual entertainment and social commentary delivered with Clyde’s signature humor.
The Hobbit House Experience
Nancy’s Glass Artistry: While Clyde creates the metal sculptures, his wife Nancy operates The Hobbit House, a charming studio where she crafts exquisite hand-blown glass jewelry, beads, flowers, and sculptures. Her fiber work includes processing natural fibers for knitting and spinning, plus life-size soft sculptures.
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Discover MoreUnique Shopping: You’ll find one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, necklaces, bracelets, pins, and hairpieces all made from Nancy’s handmade glass beads. The shop itself is an enchanting hobbit-style structure complete with a beautiful three-tier water fountain.
Artistic Partnership: The Wynias have been married since 1957, and their collaborative artistic vision creates a complete experience. While Clyde entertains with his sculptures and stories, Nancy’s delicate glasswork provides a beautiful contrast to the bold metal creations.
Other Considerations
Free Admission: You can explore this incredible art environment completely free of charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. This makes it an affordable family attraction that offers tremendous value for the experience.
Personal Tours: If you’re lucky enough to encounter Clyde during your visit, prepare for an unforgettable personal tour filled with hilarious stories, geographic insults (he’ll ask your hometown specifically for this purpose), and mechanical demonstrations. His deadpan delivery and “stern demeanor” disguise a non-stop comedy show.
Adult Humor Warning: Clyde’s humor can be risqué and suggestive, with some sculptures featuring mature themes. While many families enjoy the park, parents of young children should be prepared for potential questions about anatomical details crafted in rusty metal.
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Keep Exploring →Pet-Friendly: The park welcomes well-behaved dogs, making it a great stop for travelers with furry companions. The outdoor setting and gravel paths provide plenty of space for pets to explore alongside their owners.
Downtown Extension: Don’t miss the Downtown Jurustic Trail, a 1.5-mile self-guided walking tour through Marshfield featuring seven of Clyde’s escaped creatures hidden throughout the city’s shops and restaurants.
Cash Only: The Hobbit House gift shop only accepts cash or checks, so come prepared if you want to purchase Nancy’s beautiful glass art or smaller metal sculptures to take home.
Jurustic Park
📍 112021 Old Sugarbush Ln, Marshfield, WI 54449
