Tatum Park has 366 acres of rolling hills, open fields and bird-filled woods, as well as two Activity Centers, a playground and miles of scenic trails, for area residents to enjoy. The park is named for the Tatum family, who donated 73 acres of property to the county in 1973. Additional land was purchased with Federal Land and Water Conservation Funds and assistance from the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.
In 1905, glass manufacturer Charles Tatum of New York City purchased land in Middletown as a summer home for his family, close to factories in nearby Keyport and Millville. His company made laboratory glassware, bottles, decanters, paperweights and glass insulators. Some of these pieces are on display in the park’s Holland Activity Center, which used to be the family home. It was Tatum’s daughter-in-law Genevieve who donated a portion of the family’s property to the county. Walkers, runners, bicyclists and equestrians can watch the colors change each season on winding paths through stands of tulip trees, and red and chestnut oaks. Or, enjoy the quiet landscape on trails through beautiful fields and meadows. Cyclists and equestrians are restricted to the west side of the service road. Old farm roads at the southwest end of the park are great for mountain bicycles. Enter from Red Hill Road or Holland Road. (6.3 miles of trails)
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