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Dinosaur Park reports stronger revenue, big donation growth and projects for 2026
Summary
Executive director Sarah Mear told council the Ogden Dinosaur Park served just over 100,000 visitors in 2025, grew revenues (admissions +19%, memberships +31%), saw donations rise 326% aided by an Ogden City grant and new fundraiser, and plans capital projects including a new education building and playground shade.
Sarah Mear, executive director of the Ogden Dinosaur Park, presented the foundation's 2025 annual report at the council's Feb. 3 work session, highlighting attendance, revenue changes and planned projects.
Mear said the park logged just over 100,000 guests in 2025, a slight decrease from 2024 that she attributed largely to the new playground being out of service for April through June. She estimated the playground outage cost the park roughly 10,000 visits.
Despite the attendance dip, the park saw financial gains: admissions revenue rose 19% after last year's council-approved fee increase, membership sales climbed 31%, event and rentals revenue increased 32%, and donations jumped 326%—an increase Mear attributed in part to an Ogden City grant and the launch of a T. rex charity golf tournament. She said total revenue grew about 25% year over year.
The foundation described completed capital work (accessible playground, ramp infrastructure, lighting and irrigation upgrades), and cited grants and loans received from Rocky Mountain Power, Wasatch Peaks Credit Union Foundation and the Utah Office of Tourism. Mear said the park plans continued partnerships with local arts programs, a new education building renovation using a recently awarded loan/contract, and shading improvements at the playground to address summer heat.
Council members praised staff for raising wages and completing audits; several thanked Mear for outreach partnerships with local nonprofits and schools. The presentation closed with staff noting future grant updates would return to council.
