PLAN A VISIT TO JURASSIC ALCOVE THIS SUMMER!
Dominic Bianco with a young guest in front of the paleontology tent.
Two young patrons admiring the Stegosaurus.
Fossil talk! Dominic Bianco holds up a juvenile Tyrannosaurus Rex foot for interested guests.
Dominic Bianco, 39, has loved dinosaurs since he can remember. From family trips to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History to his lifelong collection of dinosaur memorabilia, his passion has now evolved into a full-fledged experience— Jurassic Alcove.
Located in Building 8 of the South Park Fairgrounds, this unique attraction offers visitors a mix of education, nostalgia and hands-on activities that bring prehistoric creatures to life.
For Bianco, the idea of Jurassic Alcove came to him early on, as it was inspired by his fascination with dinosaurs and the iconic“ Jurassic Park” films. His journey into the world of dinosaurs became more than just a personal hobby; it became a way to educate and engage the community.
“ Since I was a child, I was always fascinated with dinosaurs,” explains Bianco.“ Over the years, I have procured a massive collection of dinosaur toys, statues, fossils, memorabilia and more. As an adult, I created The Jurassic Mag— a digital dinosaur magazine that reached 1.1 million readers before the release of‘ Jurassic World Dominion’ in 2022.”
With an educational background in communications from California University of Pennsylvania and years of experience as a client services manager, Bianco took the leap and began to secure life-sized dinosaur displays, working with Allegheny County Parks to establish Jurassic Alcove at South Park— a place that holds fond childhood memories for him. Bringing Jurassic Alcove to life was no easy task. Designing a space that was both fun and educational took careful planning and Bianco wanted to ensure that every detail, from the dinosaur models to the paleontology facts, would be scientifically accurate.
“ It was important to me that this space felt like a stepping stone for individuals to be introduced to dinosaurs before pursuing them in other spaces, like museums, books or films,” he says.
Balancing his day job while designing, painting and decorating Jurassic Alcove late into the night was exhausting but rewarding.“ Now that my dream has come to life, I realize it was all worth it.”
Jurassic Alcove is more than just a collection of life-sized dinosaurs. Visitors can explore a replica paleontology tent, dig for fossils at the Dino Dig Site and view rare memorabilia from across the decades— and the exhibit keeps evolving.
“ I keep the experience fresh by changing the tour, the STEM tables and the activities monthly so every time a guest enters, it’ s a new experience,” Bianco explains.“ We also plan on hosting guest speakers, dinosaur meetand-greets and special events— just like Universal Studios!”
Jurassic Alcove had an exciting lineup of activities this summer including a Velociraptor meet-and-greet, a Q & A session with a working paleontologist and the return of a classic pinball machine.
For those looking to turn their passion into a business, Bianco offers simple yet powerful advice:“ Be true to yourself. There will be naysayers along the way, but ultimately, what matters most is how hard you’ re willing to pursue that dream. Keep showing up and one day your dream will become a reality.”
With fun, education and a passion for all things prehistoric, Jurassic Alcove is a must-visit destination for dino lovers of all ages. As Bianco puts it:“ Activities, fun, and dinosaurs— what could be better?” n
PLAN A VISIT TO JURASSIC ALCOVE THIS SUMMER!
LOCATION Building 8 South Park Fairgrounds
HOURS Closed on Mondays
Tuesdays through Sundays 1 to 5 p. m.
Before visiting, check Jurassic Alcove’ s Facebook or Instagram sites for updates on hours and special events.
Dominic Bianco at South Park Elementary, hosting a fossil display.
UPPER ST. CLAIR | FALL 2025 11