Amenities are an expected part of the package when purchasing a home in a master-planned community. Clubhouse, swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts and, for the golf enthusiast, a course, are the minimum requirements.

One Sugar Land/Missouri City-area community recently stepped up its game, so to speak, with a new facility for members of all ages in a very natural and sustainable way: The Big Adventure Park at Riverstone. More than 800 residents came out to show their support for the two-acre recreation complex during its debut at a "Trails of Treats" Halloween-themed event in October. And the over-the-top park is continuing to gain attention.

 The playground design included saving as many trees as possible, including an 80-year-old pecan tree that now stands as a prominent feature on the grounds. 

Designed by TBG Partners as commissioned by Johnson Development Corp., the Big Adventure Park welcomes with fun and color everywhere — and is intended for children to use their own imaginations to create their own play experience with the innovative features. A bright purple path circles the park, surrounding the area with the hue and providing a place for walkers to enjoy the complex. Rope bridges, log steppers, a pyramid, climbing walls, slides and even a 100-foot zip line are just some of the attractions for the younger sets.

The space remains shady, thanks to the green-minded intentions of both the developer and landscape architect. The playground design included saving as many trees as possible, including an 80-year-old pecan tree that now stands as a prominent feature on the grounds. Several trees, however, were dying because of the continuing drought, so they were cut down and used to build many of the play structures, as well as benches found throughout the park.

The Big Adventure Park is part of The Club at Riverstone, a complex also boasting those expected amenities such as a clubhouse, fitness center, swimming pool and tennis courts.

The 3,700-acre Riverstone development has plans for 6,000 homes during the next four years and about 18,000 residents living in a mix of townhomes and single-family and custom homes.