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Ponderosa Farm Park Playground in Scotch Plains NJ (with Photos)

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground in Scotch Plains New Jersey is a splendid farm-themed playground that will have your kids using their imagination to have all kinds of farm fun as they climb, twist, spin, splash, and more on this Scotch Plains ranch.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground in Scotch Plains NJ horizontal picture 2

10 Things to Know About Ponderosa Farm Park Playground in Scotch Plains

As part of our challenge to write about 100 New Jersey playgrounds in 100 days we bring you the details about Ponderosa Farm Park Playground, a playground in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

Where is Ponderosa Farm Park Playground located?

The address for Ponderosa Farm Park is 1600 Cooper Road in Scotch Plains, Union County, New Jersey. There is one main park entrance. Follow the road to the back, past the soccer fields, where the playground is.

Ponderosa Farm Park in Scotch Plains NJ entrance sign

The park is part of the Union County parks system.

What kind of playground equipment does the Ponderosa Farm Park have?

This playground is something quite special. The farm name carries over to the playground equipment with themed structures and play areas. The largest piece of playground equipment is a two tower two-story barn.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground Barn in Scotch Plains NJ horizontal image front with tunnel and rock climbing wall 1

Across from the barn is a General Store playground for younger children like toddlers and preschoolers.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground general store in Scotch Plains NJ horizontal image of front with ramp 1

Are there swings?

There is one swing structure with 4 traditional swings, 2 baby swings, and 2 accessible swings.

Are there slides?

The barn structure has 2 open curvy slides, 1 tunnel curvy slide, and 2 straight side-by-side slides.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground Barn in Scotch Plains NJ horizontal image with all slides 1
Ponderosa Farm Park Playground Barn in Scotch Plains NJ straight side by side slides

The general store has 2 slides that start close together but curve out away from each other. It also has a low wide slide. It also features a bumpy pathway between two areas that could be considered a little bit of a slide.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground general store in Scotch Plains NJ horizontal image of back side with slides
Ponderosa Farm Park Playground general store in Scotch Plains NJ wide slide

What special features does the playground offer?

Both of the main playground structures have tunnels, climbing walls, ladders, bridges, and sensory play areas.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground Barn in Scotch Plains NJ shady area tunnel

Climbing Web

In addition to the special features of the barn and general store, there are other ways to keep kids entertained. There is a large triangular climbing web between the two playgrounds at the front of the playground.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground in Scotch Plains NJ climbing web 1

Splash Pad

There is a splash pad in the center of the playground surrounded by all the equipment. It’s not very large but it’s a popular spot on a hot day.

Ponderosa Farm Park Splash pad in Scotch Plains NJ 00029

Melanie who wrote about the Ponderosa Farm Park Sprayground in 2013 said, “Of course we were there for the water! It was crowded but we still had plenty of space to get wet. Bring a bucket (labeled with your name) so your little ones can have more water fun. If you happen to be there alone, the sprinklers come on with a motion sensor. There’s nothing more than sprinklers that come up from the bottom, so no worries about water dumping over someone’s head (unless one of those buckets goes awry!).”

Climbing Structure

There is a climbing structure towards the back of the playground. It has a slide-like ladder and spinning monkey bars.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground in Scotch Plains NJ climbing structure 1

Photo Walls

Keeping with the farm theme there are also photo cut-out walls that let your child pose as a farm animal or cowboy/cowgirl.

What kind of ground cover does the playground have?

The ground surface is colorful rubber padding.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground general store in Scotch Plains NJ vertical image of front

Is the playground at Ponderosa Farm Park accessible?

The general store is the most accessible area of the playground. It has a wide ramp and pathways to maneuver around if you are using a stroller or a wheelchair. There are also sensory play areas here that are accessible to all.

There are two accessible swings.

It may also be possible to navigate a wheelchair or stroller around the base of the barn area into its shady play spaces as well as around the photo prop areas.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground Barn in Scotch Plains NJ shady area 1

Is there shade available at the Ponderosa Farm Park Playground? 

There are lots of shady areas at this Scotch Plains playground. Starting with the barn play area the base level is open on the sides but shady enough to be considered a good spot to get out of the sun. Additionally, the large upper levels have barn-style roofs that can protect visitors from the sun.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground Barn in Scotch Plains NJ vertical view with rope bridge

Away from the playground are picnic tables under trees.

Ponderosa Farm Park in Scotch Plains NJ picnic tables under shady tree

Where is parking for the Ponderosa Farm Park? 

There is a large parking lot for the playground and fields.

Ponderosa Farm Park in Scotch Plains NJ parking lot

Are there restrooms at Ponderosa Farm Park Playground?

There are indoor restrooms located in a building near the playground.

Ponderosa Farm Park in Scotch Plains NJ restroom building

What else is there to do at Ponderosa Farm Park?

In addition to the playground at Ponderosa Farm Park, there are additional amenities available for visitors.

Are there walking trails?

There is a walking trail around the park. View the trail map.

Ponderosa Farm Park in Scotch Plains NJ open grassy area

Are there fields or courts for sports? 

There is a turf soccer field and a turf football field.

Ponderosa Farm Park in Scotch Plains NJ soccer fields

Bonus information we want you to know about Ponderosa Farm Park 

Ponderosa Farm Park is a 6,200 acre property that is open year-round. It is on 23 acres of former farmland. There is a lot of open grassy area. On a hot summer day not only will the splash pad be operating but you can expect to see visitors laying out on beach towels and blankets in the grass. Even if all the picnic tables are filled there’s plenty of space to put down a picnic blanket and enjoy a snack or lunch.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground in Scotch Plains NJ open grassy area with grill

Melanie also shared these tips that are still relevant today (based on our July 1, 2022 visit). Almost every time we’ve been there there’s been a birthday party happening, but the space is plenty big enough for all!

If you have children old enough to play on their own, bring a chair and settle in the other shady area.

Ponderosa Farm Park Playground Barn in Scotch Plains NJ vertical image with rock climbing wall and tunnel 2

The playground itself gets pretty hot if you’re not running through the water so while you can probably avoid wearing a bathing suit yourself, definitely plan on your feet getting wet. Bathing suits for the little ones for sure! Expect the ice cream truck to come by as well for a cool down opportunity!

Who do I contact about having a birthday party or event at Ponderosa Farm Park Playground?

We provide these details about Ponderosa Farm Park Playground as a service to our readers and the park. However, Jersey Family Fun is not directly involved with this park. To reserve Ponderosa Farm Park for a birthday party or private event, please contact Union County Parks directly by calling 908-527-4000, emailing [email protected], or visiting their website reservation page.

Find more great playgrounds in New Jersey

Visit Union County parks and playgrounds to learn more about playgrounds near this one. Visit our series on New Jersey Playgrounds and Parks to learn more about the great playgrounds across our state.

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