Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on May 21, 2026.
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The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden in Oakdale is one of our favorite nature spaces in southwest Pennsylvania, and its mission to convert the former industrial site into a collection of beautiful gardens is nothing short of impressive.
One element of the gardens that we love, in addition to the nature, of course, is that they often have extra art and decorations that change throughout the years. In 2026, the Scraposaurs have invaded the garden, and these dinosaurs made out of reclaimed metal fit in just right with the reclaimed nature of the park itself!
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The Scraposaurs Have Invaded the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
As the name implies, the Scraposaurs are dinosaur sculptures made of reclaimed metal. These pieces, numbering over a dozen, are the work of artist Dale Lewis and now travel the country for seasonal shows.
The dinosaurs themselves run the spectrum from creatures you likely learned about as a kid (like a T-Rex and Pterodactyls) to recently identified species and a few fictional creations as well- like Dino from The Flintstones!
These pieces are spread throughout the park, integrating naturally in the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden's many themed areas.
Near the Lotus Pond, for example, you may find gigantic metal dragonflies. Along the woodlands, you may find a nest of Pterodactyls. And near the kid-friendly Garden of the Five Senses you may find some of the more whimsical creations that kids love!
Perhaps my favorite areas of all were simply the open meadows where you will find several dinosaurs spread about, almost like they were grazing in an open plain. Was I humming a certain theme song to a certain Jurassic-themed movie at this point? I absolutely was, and you will, too.
Alongside each dinosaur are placards sharing information about the historic dinosaur (or, when appropriate, made-up dinosaur) as well as some details about the method of construction.
That said, you would do well to take an up-close look at each dinosaur, as they are all made with unique materials that are fun to identify. You will likely recognize many materials like springs, forks, and more, but often only when getting up close!
In a way, this speaks to the talent of the artist, as Dale Lewis has done an incredible job building rather life-like creations all out of metal, and it isn't until you get close to these large structures that you get the full appreciation for each piece. So don't worry, these creatures don't bite and getting up close is most recommended!
But perhaps the best part about the Scraposaur exhibit is that all guests can enjoy it. These statues are not hidden behind a separate ticket, and those who pay for general admission to the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden can enjoy all of the statues for no extra charge now through October 2026.
Whether you like dinosaurs, metal-based art, or simply want to check out something a bit different, a visit to The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is a must in 2026 to enjoy the touring Scraposaurs!
The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is located at 799 Pinkerton Run Rd in Oakdale. The Scraposaur touring exhibit runs through October 2026. I was a guest of the gardens for this article; however, all opinions are my own.
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