Located at 401 Main Street, Hyannis, MA

Located in the backyard of the Hyannis Public Library and next door to the JFK Museum.

The Outdoor Play Oasis is designed for families with children up to the age of 12. Enjoy the space FREE of charge any day of the year, from Dawn to Dusk. Enriching family engagement programs are offered when funding and weather permit.

All features of our natural playscape were made from sustainably harvested wood and recycled materials.

The Graham Family Play Stage offers a stage for play, dance, songs, stories and more. The Play Kitchen sparks children’s imagination for making all kinds of concoctions. Musical instruments tuned to the pentatonic scale provide easy music making with a Whale Drum, Chime Wall and Amadinda. Climb through a log tunnel. Walk a labyrinth path and more.

For information on programs/events, follow us on Facebook or our Events page.

The Making of THE OUTDOOR PLay Oasis

Thanks to Lower Cape TV Arts Light for creating the documentary “Creative Community Shapes Place and Play” below. (August 2022) “When the creative economy crosses the public space, the ordinary can take new turns. The Cape Cod Toy Library collaborated with the Hyannis Public Library, Architect Mary-Ann Agresti, and Graham Construction and ended up shaping a new, nature-focused playscape in downtown Hyannis and re-imagining the concept of a public play space.”

The Outdoor Play Oasis STORY

A story of care for families, the environment, and the community.

The Outdoor Play Oasis, an outreach initiative of Cape Cod Toy Library, began in collaboration with Hyannis Public Library to meet the COVID pandemic needs of 2019-2020 of rebuilding community, reconnecting families, and revitalizing the economy.

We continuously seek new ways to fulfill our mission of promoting children’s healthy development through play. This vision includes creating enriching outdoor play environments for children and families to experience joy and community connections.  

At the center of Hyannis Main Street, the Play Oasis purpose is to serve as a refuge, a “play protection zone", for families to spend time together. This natural playground is designed to foster social connections, curiosity, creativity, imagination, problem solving, and physical activity.

The vision for this Outdoor Play Oasis was inspired by a MassDevelopment “COVID-19 Response: Resurgent Places” grant to help communities recover from social isolation and economic hardship. 

Locating the Outdoor Play Oasis at Hyannis Public Library is intended to promote the missions of both the Library and Cape Cod Toy Library.

Like the Toy Library collection which was purposefully developed with donated used and recycled toys, the Outdoor Play Oasis features were intentionally designed to integrate use of natural materials and sustainable wood.

·       The log tunnel is from a 200-year-old reclaimed maple tree. 

·       Log benches, kitchen and fences were made from black locust trees harvested from Heritage Museum & Gardens. 

·       The stage  was made with black locust lumber, a rot resistant invasive species. 

·       Instruments were hand-made using sustainably harvested materials.

·       The “whale drum” and “fungiphone drums” were made by repurposing propane tanks.

·       Natural polymer paving materials were used for pathways. 

·       Natural granite stones were used for the labyrinth. 

·       Flowering pollinators were planted to provide nectar and pollen for native butterflies, birds, and bees to promote life and well-being  of the natural world.

Design and Construction Team 

Project Vision: Cape Cod Toy Library, Inc., Deb Willsea MS EdD

Architect: The Design initiative, Inc, Mary -Ann Agresti, AIA

Landscape Architect: LANDSCHOP, Christopher Buccino, ASLA

Construction: Graham LLC, Chris Graham

APPreciation & GRAND OPENING - October 2022

The design and construction of the Outdoor Play Oasis was made possible by a Mass Development Resurgent Places matching grant with tremendous financial support as well as in-kind support of products and labor.

Graham Construction was especially generous as they gifted their labor to construct the Outdoor Play Oasis. In recognition and appreciation, the stage is named the Graham Family Play Stage.

 “Community play opportunities form part of the glue that brings families and communities together.”

National Playing Fields Association, 2000