Dinosaur Art Damaged In Apparent Vandalism At Allaire Park In Wall

WALL, NJ — Residents on a Wall community Facebook site expressed shock and sadness that large dinosaur statues created from tree bark and branches at Allaire State Park have been severely damaged, apparently over the weekend.

The statues of a Tyrannosaurus-rex and a triceratops were the work of a person who created them as a voluntary project more than two years ago.

It was not an official installation but it attracted a following of people who would seek them out along the trails, according to previously published reports.

"So upsetting," "senseless and selfish" were some of the comments on the Facebook site.

According to a 2020 article on app.com the figures were created by Robin Ruggiero of Brick as a "whim" that was both an artistic expression and a reflection of a personal journey. She has since been featured on television news shows and her work is featured on the many sites that offer families tips for exploring New Jersey sights.

But the Facebook site is now mourning the loss of these evocative figures that some photos show as collapsed.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection State Park Police were not able to confirm any details of the incident on Monday. But dispatch for the office confirmed the DEP is aware of the problem and is expected to provide more information.