UPDATE 4/28/2014- This park is closed temporarily! from mendham township org site:Residents are advised that due to safety issues resulting from this past winter’s severe weather, the Township has temporarily closed the Ralston playground. The issues requiring the closure are under evaluation by Township staff and the playground designer. A plan/timetable for the reopening will not be known until this evaluation has been complete. We regret the inconvenience caused by this closure and ask your patience as we work to address the safety concerns at this recreation facility.

http://www.mendhamtownship.org/cit-e-access/News/index.cfm?NID=33769&TID=77&jump2=0

In the vicinity (east) of Jane Terrace and W. Mendham Rd., Mendham, NJ. About 8 miles west from Morristown (Washington St. & Western Ave).. Haven’t seen a more sprawled out playground like this in NJ yet. I think the mere structures are worth the trip, very well done. Kids have a great time here, with a huge sandbox.If you are headed to Chester for pumpkin picking, it is a great place to stop by. Can’t recall the restroom situation, except that there is definitely a port-a-potty there… but I’m I think the pictures say it all… From Amy’s listing:

From 287 take exit #36 which is Morris Ave/Lafayette Ave/Ridgedale Ave. in Morristown. Exit onto Lafayette Ave. Stay straight to go under the train trestle. Bear right to go onto Morris Ave. Bear left onto E Park Pl. Turn right onto E Park Pl. Turn left onto N Park Pl. Turn right onto Route 24 (Washington St.) Continue to follow Route 24 West a little more than 6 miles from Morristown into Mendham. The playground is on your left.

Very clean fenced in playground with newer equipment, multi-tiered sandbox and spider web climbing structure. Built with a quaint colonial country theme that includes signage explaining how businesses were run (general store, farm, etc.) during colonial times. Constructed of wood, plastic and trex materials.

Parking: Small dirt lot
Picnicking: A few tables near the playground area and a small gazebo with benches
Handicap: Two red chair swings, park area itself is wheelchair accessible but not all equipment, if you can navigate the mulch, a wheelchair can be pulled up to elevated portion of sandbox for easy play
Climbing: Large rope climbing structure, rope wall, corkscrew pole, ladders, hanging wooden ladders, handles, foothold climbing wall, tires to climb, ramps, stairs, large pyramid shaped rope climbing structure, tubes, drawbridge, repeller
Playthings: Steering wheels, wooden train, small buildings for pretend play, call boxes
Sandbox: Big sandbox with toys
Slides: Two corkscrew, one half-pipe, four toddler
Swings: Three full size, three toddler, two chair, one tire
Walking Paths: Throughout the playground area

Make a Day of It
Drive the short distance into Chester for tons of shopping and entertainment options or take in more of the available nature and parks in Mendham by visiting Lewis Morris Park or the Schiff Nature Reserve.