Jurustic Park

A legacy of metal and imagination

Tucked away in the rural embrace of Marshfield, Wisconsin, lies Jurustic Park, a testament to artistic vision and community spirit. It is a whimsical haven for anyone who enjoys a touch of the extraordinary. Created by Clyde Wynia, a self-proclaimed "amateur paleontologist," the park isn't your typical dinosaur dig site. The prehistoric past is brought to life through the imaginative lens of metal sculptures where fantastical creatures, crafted from salvaged "junk," truly roam free.

Driven by artistic passion and environmental responsibility, Wynia uses recycled metal to sculpt now-extinct creatures that once inhabited the nearby McMillan Marsh during his envisioned "Iron Age." The creatures are forged from a symphony of metals—some with the familiar rust of weathered steel, others etched with brass and time, and a few boast exotic alloys proudly displaying their age through oxidation.

These aren't common prehistoric creatures you learn about – they're Wynia's creative interpretations, brought to life through the alchemy of rust and rivets. They are towering Army Marsh Dragons with hematite-plated scales or lumbering Entry Spiders with gangly legs sharing the landscape with a Whirlysaurus and a sharp-beaked Toucanary (three-quarters toucan, one-third canary) dominating the landscape.

Jurustic Park's legacy extends beyond its metal inhabitants. It's a local gem, attracting over 15,000 visitors annually and generating an estimated $1 million in revenue for Marshfield. The park's unique charm spills over into the city, with donated art pieces that can be found throughout Marshfield and surrounding communities.

Recognizing its importance, a local group, the Friends of Jurustic Park, was formed to ensure the park's future once Clyde and Nancy Wynia retire. The Nelson-Jameson Foundation, a strong supporter of arts and education, is also part of this group. Their involvement will ensure that Jurustic Park continues to be a place where families embark on a prehistoric safari, imagination reigns supreme, and the line between reality and make-believe delightfully blurs.

Our mission

The Nelson-Jameson Foundation (NJF) is focused on supporting philanthropic organizations that enhance our core value as a Golden Rule Company. Grants are targeted toward charitable programs that are related to the food and dairy industries or support charities that are important to Nelson-Jameson employees and the communities in which they reside.