Replica dinosaurs on display at Roeding Park

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- At least 18 life-size replica dinosaurs were brought into Fresno's Storyland and Playland Saturday.

The new structures are part of the parks Dinosaur Island exhibit. The exhibit is placed in the area between Storyland and Playland and will viewable to anyone who rides on the Willis B. Kyle express train ride.

Students from Fresno High School's ROTC volunteered to help with the installation and cleaning up in the area. Park leaders say passionate volunteers are part of what's powered the recent rejuvenation of the parks.

"I think one of the reasons why it's so important to so many people is that for at least 4 generations of my family we've been coming out," Scott Miller with the parks board said. "My parents, I came out, my kids, kids younger than them all have similar memories of Storyland playing out here, family's getting together and that 's our mission. Our mission at these parks is to provide low-cost high-quality entertainment for the families of Fresno County."

Playland is scheduled to open on May 6.

Park leaders say they hope the new exhibit will help bring in more visitors this summer and keep the park alive.