Cape Cod & The Islands

Armstrong-Kelley Park

Osterville

8.5 acres

Courtesy Above Summit

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
  • 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 John Folk Water garden complete with sculptures and fish pond. Picnic tables and benches are scattered throughout.

Enjoy the Armstrong-Kelley Park Exploration Packet, including a self-guided tour, treasure hunt, craft and recipe ideas and other fun activities for your visit. Download and print or enjoy using your phone. $5.

Admission & Hours

Free admission, open from sunrise to sunset, year-round. For events and program information, please visit our Things to Do page.

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, sculpture and fish pond
  • Seven hillside trails
  • Liam’s train
  • A certified wetland
  • Picnic tables for gatherings

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

Property Map

A property map will be posted once restoration/expansion construction is complete.

Regulations & Advisories

  • Hunting is not permitted at this reservation. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties.
  • Dogs are welcome, on-leash only.
  • 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.
  • A campaign is underway to raise $2.25 million for restoration and expansion of the gardens, and improvements in parking and circulation, as well as ongoing community programming, property stewardship, and horticultural staffing. The Trustees has invited Mikyoung Kim Design to create a preliminary vision plan for the park, with input garnered from listening sessions with the CCHS Board, neighbors, and other community members. This new vision for the park is grounded on beloved elements like the main green and Liam’s Train, and extends horticultural interest with new specimen trees, garden rooms, and plant collections.
  • Construction on the driveway, accessible paths, and main green are expected to begin in Spring 2022. Click here to view a conceptual rendering, courtesy of Mikyoung Kim Design.
Before Setting Out
More to Explore

Exploration Packet Download

Enjoy the Armstrong-Kelley Park Exploration Packet, including a self-guided tour, treasure hunt, craft and recipe ideas and other fun activities for your visit. Download and print or enjoy using your phone. $5.

Download

Enhancement & revitalization

A campaign is underway to raise $2.25 million for garden restoration and expansion, improvements in parking and circulation, and ongoing community programming, stewardship and staffing.
Learn more or give
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 1930, two sisters, Mrs. Marion (Seaverns Williams) Kelley and Mrs. Mary Martha (Armstrong) McClarey gave 8.5 acres of land near their home, Bandeley Manor, to the CCHS. For 90+ years dedicated volunteers cared for the land, which became Armstrong-Kelley Park.

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