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Tatem Memorial Garden in Haddonfield: The Children's Sculpture Zoo, Its Seven Animals and What's Next

A giraffe, a gorilla and a tiger live at Kings Highway East and Evergreen Lane. Here's the story of the garden, how it's cared for and what commissioners took up in October.

By Live Haddonfield ยท

The Edith and Joseph Tatem Memorial Garden, at Kings Highway East and Evergreen Lane, is home to the Children's Sculpture Zoo: seven bronze animals that kids are allowed to touch, sit on and climb. The Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust (HOST) brought them in starting in 2019, and volunteers help the borough keep the garden in shape. On Oct. 5, commissioners had a request from HOST about the Tatem gardens on their work session agenda.

If you've driven past and wondered why there's a 15 foot giraffe on Kings Highway, this one's for you.

Meet the animals

HOST lists seven sculptures and when each arrived:

  • Sea lion, rabbit and toad by the late Philadelphia sculptor Eric Berg, April 2019. Haddonfield held a vote on which animal should come to town. The sea lion won, and Berg sent two more.
  • Tumi the giraffe, May 2020. Donated by a Haddonfield resident, likely made in the 1970s in Vietnam, and over 15 feet tall. South Jersey Media puts it at 1,100 pounds.
  • Ndotto the elephant by Gillie and Marc, August 2021. It's modeled on a real orphaned baby elephant rescued in Kenya in 2014.
  • Murph the gorilla, June 2023. Origins unknown.
  • Tatem Tiger, April 2024, named for the J.F. Tatem Elementary School mascot.

Lifestyles reports the pieces were installed by Sikora Wells Appel, a Haddonfield landscape architecture firm. Look at the elephant's trunk and the sea lion's head. That shiny polished bronze is years of small hands.

Why it works as a garden

Most sculpture gardens tell you to keep your hands off. This one is the opposite. South Jersey Media calls it the only outdoor sculpture facility in the country dedicated exclusively to children.

There's a phone trick, too. A sign at the zoo has a number and a QR code. Call it, and one of the animals calls your kid back, with digital trading cards to collect. Lifestyles credits Joseph Levine, HOST's vice president, who built it with the Haddonfield Public Library.

And the money part matters. HOST co-chair Michael Willmann told South Jersey Media the borough doesn't pay for HOST or its sculptures. They're funded by private donations.

Who does the weeding

HOST's Zookeepers volunteers "adopt" the garden and help the borough with weeding, plant care and pruning in summer. In 2026 they met Saturdays from 8 to 10 a.m. on July 5, July 19, Aug. 2, Aug. 16 and Aug. 30. HOST's page lists potential fall dates as to be determined, with a contact form if you want in. All ages are welcome.

What's next for the garden

Commissioners' Oct. 5 work session agenda included "Discuss request from HOST for Tatem gardens." The agenda doesn't spell out the request, and no outcome has been posted. The next work session is Monday, Nov. 9, at 6:30 p.m. We'll report what's decided once it's public.

A good fall visit

Leaves are coming down, the crowds are thin and the bronze is cold to the touch. Bring a phone so the kids can call the giraffe.

Sources

More from that same Oct. 5 session: the Hopkins Pond walking path grant.

The Friday newsletter is where we follow up on stories like this one when Borough Hall acts. Subscribe here.

FAQ

Where is the Children's Sculpture Zoo in Haddonfield?
In the Edith and Joseph Tatem Memorial Garden at Kings Highway East and Evergreen Lane, per the Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust.
Can kids climb on the sculptures?
Yes. HOST says kids can touch and sit on the pieces, and the Tatem Tiger is meant to be ridden.
Who takes care of the garden?
The borough, with help from HOST's Zookeepers volunteers, who weeded and pruned on summer Saturday mornings in 2026. HOST lists potential fall dates as to be determined.