CENTRAL SQUARE, N.Y. — Residents of Central Square woke up to prehistoric headlines this week after village officials announced the discovery of what appear to be dinosaur bones beneath a local park.
According to a press release issued Tuesday morning, a routine landscaping project at Central Square Memorial Park took a surprising turn when workers uncovered several large, fossilized bones buried just a few feet below the surface. Initial photos show what experts believe could be part of a massive rib cage and a partial skull.
“We thought we hit an old tree root or maybe some scrap metal,” said parks crew member Mike Donnelly. “Then we realized… this thing had teeth.”
Village officials quickly cordoned off the area and contacted paleontology specialists from nearby universities. While the find has not yet been officially verified, early speculation suggests the remains could belong to a previously unknown species that somehow made its way to Central New York millions of years ago.
“This is highly unusual,” said Dr. Karen Whitfield, a visiting fossil expert. “New York State is not typically known for large dinosaur discoveries, especially not in a small village park. If confirmed, this could rewrite part of the region’s geological history—or at least give us a very strange footnote.”
Naturally, the announcement has sparked a wave of excitement—and skepticism—throughout the community. Some residents have already dubbed the discovery the “Central Square Rex,” while others are questioning whether the bones are genuine or part of an elaborate publicity stunt.
Village Mayor Thomas Reed addressed the speculation during a brief press conference. “We understand people have questions,” Reed said. “All we can confirm right now is that something significant has been found, and we are working with experts to determine exactly what it is.”
Local businesses are already embracing the buzz. One nearby café has introduced a limited-time “Dino Bite Breakfast,” while a local bar is rumored to be planning a themed event featuring “Jurassic Wings.”
Officials say the park will remain closed to the public until further notice as excavation continues. If the bones are authenticated, Central Square could soon find itself on the map as one of the most unexpected fossil discovery sites in the country.
Until then, residents are left with one big question:
What exactly was roaming Central Square millions of years ago?