RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A beloved educational center in Riverside County, best known for its giant metal dinosaur sculptures, is back open to the public after being closed for seven months due to the pandemic. The Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center has had to make major changes in order to once again welcome kids and families.

What You Need To Know

  • The Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center opened in 1964, but has been closed for 7 months due to the pandemic

  • The educational center, known for its giant metal dinosaur sculptures, has just reopened

  • Due to COVID-19, the center is charging for parking for the first time and is currently only open on weekends

  • Guests who purchase $40 or more from the gift shop can get a rebate on parking

Velociraptors, Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops are just some of dozens of dinosaur sculptures on grounds. The museum's iconic mammoth sculpture is a hard-to-miss landmark, situated along the 60 freeway on a hill above the park.

 

Executive Director Wes Andree can tell you about each and every re-creation.

“Who doesn’t like dinosaurs? Dinosaurs are great,” Andree contended.

The JMDC opened back in 1964, and while much has remained the same for generations of families who visit the grounds and museum, COVID is forcing change.  

“As a result of COVID, this is the first time we’ve had to charge for parking… in the past it has always been no admission fee and no parking fee,” Andree shared.

In addition to the new $10 parking fee, JMDC is only open Friday, Saturdays, and Sundays.  Weekdays used to be their busiest time with an estimated 20,000 kids visiting each year.

“We’ve made our income off of school field trips, which we had none this last year and were not expecting any this year,” Andree said.

Volunteers used to maintain the 82-acres belonging to the non-profit center, but they haven’t been allowed on the grounds due to COVID restrictions and paid staff has had to take on the extra work.

“The plants still need watering, the animals inside, they still need to be fed…. so we still need to be here whether we have business or not,” Andre stated.

Three-year-old Cristian Hall got to go on a special guided tour of the center meant to generate revenue paid for by his grandfather, Lubardo Leony of Bloomington. Leony says finding interactive learning opportunities in the COVID era has been a challenge, but since the tour is all outside he feels safe.

“I feel really good… as long as my grandson has fun I have fun too,” Leony said.

The indoor museum featuring an extensive collection of fossils from around the world must remain closed while Riverside County remains in the purple tier.

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Payroll Protection Plan, Small Business Administration loans, and endowment money have helped carry JMDC through up until now, but Andree contends that can only take them so far. The educational center celebrating the dinosaurs is trying hard to find ways to survive and generate income, hoping they can outlast the pandemic.

“We have to roll with the punches, whatever happens on a daily basis,” Andree said.

Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. Gates are locked at 2:00 pm. Visitors can get a rebate on the parking fee with a $40 purchase at gift shop or nursery.