The finishing touches are being put on Champion Fields — one of six community parks that ultimately will be built in the planned River Islands community of 15,001 homes.

The park features five youth baseball fields along with shade structures and other amenities at a site along River Islands Parkway.

The most popular feature for some families, though, will be one of the largest — if not the largest — adaptive playground in the region for youth with special needs.

River Islands CEO Susan Dell’Osso said the decision was made to expand the playground based on requests from residents.

The community parks are on top of dozens of neighborhood parks that will be developed in the 4,995-acre project.

That tally does not include even more open space areas throughout River Islands such as pass thru areas.

The community also will have a continuous 18-mile  loop trail atop 300-foot wide levees that encircles the community.

Pedestrian bridges over streets where bridges have — or will be built to access River Islands — means bicyclists, runners and walkers can go the entire distance without having to cross traffic once the trail system is completed.

Like the adaptive playground, the pedestrian bridges were added after original development plans were made as it was decided it would further enhance the amenities being built.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com