Live a FAMILY-CENTERED LIFE

BY COLLEEN EDWARDS

In bringing a master planned community to life, the developer has the opportunity to provide a wide variety of home styles, sizes, and price points, to ensure that people in many age groups and household formations can become a part of the fabric of the community.

River Islands in Lathrop has become Northern California’s best-selling master planned community by adhering to the goal of providing homes and amenities that support the many-faceted lifestyles of Californians today. Included among its more than 3,000 households are first-time buyers, growing families, and retirees.

As a result, some of the neighborhoods within River islands offer single story floorplans; others offer a master suite at the ground level. Still others offer all twostory plans, separating the living areas and the bedroom areas on their own floors.

Homes offer a range of square footages as well, with sizes ranging from just under 1500 square feet to more than 4100 square feet. Bedroom counts vary from three to six bedrooms. Some neighborhoods offer homes designed with multi-generational suites to welcome several generations of family living.

Family in its many forms is at the heart of River Islands. The entire community has been designed to integrate homes and neighborhoods into a backdrop of lakes, parks, trails, open space, restaurants, and sporting areas. Some of the homes back up to lakes, making paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks all a part of the lakeside lifestyle. Public and private parks are designed for a number of activities, from softball and basketball to bocce and sand volleyball. A trail along the San Joaquin River is being extended every year for walkers, joggers, and bicyclists. The San Joaquin River Delta is both a visual and an active attraction.

The master plan has enhanced its family appeal by creating a charter school program within Banta Unified School District, so that its K-8 schools and River Islands High School, now under construction, are all part of the River Islands Academies.

The Welcome Center at River Islands is open daily from noon-5 PM. Tour maps, builder information, and neighborhood lists are available there.