Football fields at the Nantong Yangtze River Sports Park. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The Football Zone of the Nantong Yangtze River Sports Park opened on Aug 30, offering a vibrant riverside space with facilities for football matches, fitness activities, and more. The park also kicked off a one-month trial operation during which all facilities are free for the residents.

The Nantong Yangtze River Sports Park covers an area of approximately 42 hectares, with about 2 kilometers of shoreline and is conveniently accessible via several major city roads.

The park is divided into three main zones focusing on football, community, and leisure and fashion, respectively.

The 15.1-hectare Football Zone includes six full-size natural grass football fields for 11-a-side matches (which can be flexibly divided into 7-a-side or 8-a-side fields) and two 5-a-side leisure football fields, along with three basketball courts, a children's play area, and other facilities.

The Community Friendly Zone combines a family playground with various non-powered facilities and supporting service buildings, creating an open, inclusive, and friendly public space. The Leisure and Fashion Zone, meanwhile, hosts modern sports facilities such as a rock-climbing gym, roller skating rink, and music lawn. These two zones will begin construction soon and are expected to be completed by 2026.