Students from Firebaugh H.M. Bailey Primary School gather at River Park's new kids area. Photo by Frank Lopez

River Park Shopping Center celebrated the opening of its new kids play area with a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday.

Students from Firebaugh H.M. Bailey Primary School cut the ribbon on the new playground with the help of their mascot the Bailey Bear, and other mascots such as the Fox from from Fresno’s Fuego Soccer team, Cilantro Gomez and Parker from The Fresno Grizzlies, George the Giraffe of Valley Children’s Hospital, Sam the Ram of Fresno City College and the cow from Chick fil-A.

Children had the chance to take photos with the mascots and have their pictures framed, and enjoy the new playground.

Construction started in February and was scheduled to open on Easter Sunday, but rain had pushed the opening date back.

Tracy Kashian, vice president of marketing and public relations for River Park Shopping Center, said that she was happy to have the children and the mascots help celebrate with the opening and hopes people will enjoy the renovated playground.

“It’s the first of many phases to come here at River Park,” Kashian said. “It’s time to revamp and we wanted to start with the heart of the shopping center, which is the families. We’re hoping that moms will come out here with their kids, play, shop their way out, have lunch and really just spend time here.”