Emil Galasso, vice president and co-owner of the Howe Caverns visitor attraction in Cobleskill, New York, has unveiled plans for a new park at the site.

A major component will be Dinosaur Canyon, a walk-through outdoor attraction offering visitors the opportunity to interact with prehistoric giants.

Howe Development, which is handling the expansion, will work with Garner Holt Productions to complete the concept design and take the project through installation.

Preliminary concept design was by Stufish and McClaren Engineering Group.

Galasso said: "My vision is to create a destination resort. Even during these tough economic times, we're getting nearly 200,000 visitors a year to Howe Caverns.

"We want to give them more to do while they're here. Dinosaur Canyon will help us to become a true destination attraction."

Dinosaur Canyon will be located on twenty acres adjacent to Howe Caverns, the largest cave open to the public in the American northeast.

Plans envisage more than two dozen dinosaurs - including a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Pterodactyls and a herd of Parasaurolophus - situated in rock chasms, caverns and valleys.

Phase 1 is already underway, with plans for some venues to be open in the 2011 season.

Image: Garner Holt productions. Left to right (front): Garner Holt, Patricia Galasso, Emil Galasso. Behind them in the centre is Robert Holt, general manager of Howe Caverns. Figure in background at right is an animatronic of Lester Howe, discoverer of Howe Caverns