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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Tell Them You Saw It In The Mendham News • November 2016 • Page 1
No. 2 Vol. 11
www.themendhamnews.com
November 2016
Ralston Playground To See Sunnier Days With Fundraising Campaign In Full Swing
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By Cheryl Conway eteriorated conditions has forced the closing of the award winning designed Ralston Playground in Mendham Township, but a fundraising campaign is underway to restore the 16year old wood structures. Mendham Twp. resident Adam Dubeck started a go fund me page about two months ago asking residents to contribute; the Mendham Twp. Recreation Commission plans to allocate some money through its trust fund and is partnering with Mendham Twp. Junior Women’s Club to host a series of fundraisers; and funds are being sought through donations and from the township committee’s capital budget. If all goes according to plan, local kids may be swinging and sliding by spring 2018 when the township’s lone playground is restored with brand new updated equipment. Although many months await for the project plans to be complete, township leaders and volunteers look forward to that day. “We are excited about the outcome,” says Peter Wright, Mendham Twp. Recreation Director. “It’s getting to the outcome. It’ll be a community effort.” The Ralston Playground
was installed in 2000 by a local family, who created a foundation along with community donations, in memory of their child who died from SIDS, says Wright. The playground was dedicated on Oct. 5, 2002, “made possible by the generosity of the Christie Family Foundation” of NJ Gov. Chris Christie. Located on one third of an acre, “the playground itself is an award winner,” says Wright, recognized by the NJ Recreational Parks Association for Excellence in Design in 2002, he adds. The playground is based around the history of Mendham Twp., such as its cider mills, farming from 1770 to the 19th century. “It was a modern playground at the time that
represented history,” says Wright. The slide looks like a barn, tells the history of the barn; another piece of equipment is a train and shares the train history in town, describes Dubeck. With equipment made out of wood, over the years it “became the home of insects and termites,” says Wright. “The structures just
deteriorated.” In Aug. 2016, after an inspection by insurance health agents and safety inspectors, township officials were advised to close the playground as “the structural integrity of the pieces of units” were no longer deemed safe, says Wright. The recreation commission has been discussing continued on page 4
Mendham News Thanksgiving Photo Contest Enter By Nov. 30
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ost a picture of your family gathering around the Thanksgiving table by Nov. 30 and you will be eligible to win tickets to a play at Centenary Stage or a Gift Certificate to a local Restaurant. To enter go to www. mypaperonline.com/contest. Post a picture. Vote for your favorite! Winners will be notified Dec. 9. For more information and rules please visit: www.mypaperonline.com/contest.