Cape Cod & The Islands

Armstrong-Kelley Park

Osterville

8.5 acres

Courtesy Krista Photography

At 8.5 acres, this garden and woodland oasis is Cape Cod's oldest and largest privately owned public park, with 90+ years of history, rare trees, shady trails, and flourishing gardens.

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Plan Your Visit
  • Overview
  • Ideas for Your Visit
  • Admission & Hours
  • Directions & Contact Info
  • What You'll Find
  • Facilities & Accessibility
  • Property Map
  • Regulations & Advisories

Overview

Armstrong-Kelley Park is an 8.5 acre garden and woodland oasis in Osterville, Massachusetts. In Spring 2020, The Cape Cod Horticultural Society (CCHS), which has owned and maintained Armstrong-Kelley Park for nearly 100 years, approved a plan to be integrated into The Trustees. Through this integration, which became official in the Fall of 2021, this treasured community resource is now a Trustees reservation, and its 12th public garden.

Ideas for Your Visit

Enjoy seven trails through the woodland, spot more than two dozen rare species of trees and hundreds of rhododendron and azalea plants, and enjoy the expanded John Folk Water Garden complete with sculptures and fish pond. Picnic tables and benches are scattered throughout.

Children’s Garden
The newly renovated Children’s Garden has reopened. Play on Liam’s Train and explore all it has to offer!

Admission & Hours

The Park is open year-round, sunrise to sunset, and admission is free for picnicking, dog walking, educational activities and more.

Directions & Contact Info

675 Main Street
Osterville, MA 02655
armstrongkelley@thetrustees.org

Get directions on Google Maps

From points north: Follow I-93 S, MA-3 S and US-6 E to MA-149 S in Barnstable. Take exit 65 from US-6 E. Follow Osterville West Barnstable Road and Main Street to your destination.

From points west: Take I-90 E/Massachusetts Turnpike, I-495 S, MA-25 E and US-6 E to MA-149 S in Barnstable. Take exit 65 from US-6 E. Follow Osterville West Barnstable Rd and Main St to your destination

What You'll Find

The 8.5 acre parcel is home to a variety of plantings, as well as trails and shady walkways.

During your visit you can find:

  • Dozens of rare and unusual trees, including a Franklinia specimen
  • 250 rhododendron and azalea plants
  • A holly dell containing many varieties
  • The John Folk Water Garden, with sculpture and fish pond
  • Seven hillside trails
  • Children’s Garden with Liam’s Train
  • A certified wetland
  • Picnic tables for gatherings

For events and program information, please visit our Things to Do page.

Facilities & Accessibility

The public garden core of the property is fully accessible. The main pathways in the front of the park are also accessible, made of stone dust, and accessible parking is available.

Property Map

There is a trail map available on the bulletin board in the parking area. We recommend that you take a photo of the map on your phone so you can refer to it during your visit, or download a trail map before you head out.

Regulations & Advisories

  • Hunting is not permitted at this reservation. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties.
  • Dogs are welcome, on-leash only.
  • Open sunrise to sunset.
  • Please carry out everything you carry in, leave no trash behind.
  • PHOTOGRAPHY: We ask that photographers or their clients become Supporting Level Members before conducting portrait sessions at this property.  Click here for more information, and to request permission for any portrait sessions. The Trustees of Reservations reserves the right, and may give permission to its designated photographers and videographers, or to outside media, to photograph or video visitors and program participants at all its facilities and properties.
  • The main pathways in the front of the park are accessible, made of stone dust, and accessible parking is available.
Before Setting Out
Upcoming Events

Armstrong-Kelley Park History

The Cape Cod Horticultural Society (CCHS) was founded February 17, 1928 with 78 charter members, most of whom were professional gardeners. In 1931, Mrs. Marion (Seaverns Williams) Kelley and Mrs. Mary Martha (Armstrong) McClary gave two parcels of land to the CCHS, which named the land in their honor as Armstrong-Kelley Park. In 1937, Cecil I. Goodspeed and Ellen B. Goodspeed granted to the CCHS an adjoining parcel, bringing the total Armstrong-Kelley Park land to 8.5 acres. For 90+ years dedicated CCHS volunteers cared for the land before integrating with The Trustees in 2021.

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