Fall 2014: “Erie Dinosaur Park” sneak peek!
Erie Dinosaur Park
Dorris dinosaurs donated to Erie to create new public park 
People who knew the late Robert Dorris describe him as honest and hard-working, imaginative and adventurous: a stand-up Christian husband and father.
But an artist? That’s not how Bob saw himself, anyway. His wife, Elveta, says he “didn’t want to be called an artist in any form.”
Still, some may beg to differ.
From 1989 to the early 2000s, Bob was responsible for the conception, construction and installation of 15 larger-than-life dinosaurs along Hwy. 47 near Erie. Using only metal scraps – mostly old car parts – Bob sculpted the now-famous dinosaurs “just for fun,” Elveta says. “We never dreamed it would be so (popular).”
Fondly known by many as the “Dinosaur Not-So-National Park,” the sculptures have remained on the family’s private property since Bob’s passing in 2007. Soon, though, 12 of his cherished creations will travel to the heart of Erie, where they will be preserved and displayed publicly as part of the brand new Erie Dinosaur Park…
Want to keep reading about Erie Dinosaur Park? Check out the fall issue of Southeast Kansas Living, out now! It will include this story in its entirety, plus so much more. Subscribe now, or contact us to find a newsstand near you.