The Play Oasis offers enriching family programs, including bilingual activities, as weather and funding permit. Climb through the log tunnel, walk the labyrinth path, and more. All of the features of its natural playscape are made from sustainably harvested wood and recycled materials.

Additional resources such as the play kitchen spark children’s imagination for all kinds of creativity. Musical instruments — including a whale drum, chime wall, and amadinda (African xylophone) — allow impromptu music-making. And the Graham Family Play Stage offers a platform for play, dance, songs, stories and more.

For more information on programs and events, follow us on Facebook or visit our Events page.

Our family programs will take place at the Outdoor Play Oasis during the summer. When renovations are complete at the new location new hours will be posted for the fall. Please follow our events calendar and Facebook posts. Watch for photos of our new Community Play Space development at our new location on our website and Facebook.

The Outdoor Play Oasis STORY

The Outdoor Play Oasis began as a joint effort with the Hyannis Public Library to meet community needs during the 2019–2020 COVID pandemic, including reconnecting families and revitalizing the economy, and became a story of care for families, the environment, and the community.

The vision for the Play Oasis was inspired by a Mass Development “Resurgent Places” grant to help communities recover from social isolation and economic hardship. It continues to serve as a refuge and “play protection zone” for families to spend time together. This natural playground is designed to foster curiosity and imagination, creativity and problem solving, and physical activity and social connection.

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

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

• The kitchen, stage, log benches, and fences are made from black locust trees, a rot-resistant invasive species harvested from Heritage Museum & Gardens.

• The “whale drum” and “fungiphone drums” were made by re-purposing propane tanks. Other musical instruments were hand-made from sustainably harvested materials.

• Natural polymer paving materials were used for pathways, and 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 the life and well-being  of the natural world.

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 connection.

“When the creative economy crosses public space, the ordinary can take new
turns. The Cape Cod Toy Library … ended up shaping a new, nature-focused playscape
in downtown Hyannis and re-imagining the concept of a public play space.”

“Creative Community Shapes Place and Play”
A documentary on the making of the Outdoor Play Oasis by Lower Cape TV’s ArtsLight (August 2022)

Design and Construction Team 

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

Architect: Mary-Ann Agresti, AIA (Design initiative, Inc.)

Landscape Architect: Christopher Buccino, ASLA (LANDSCHOP)

Construction: Chris Graham (Graham LLC)

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 in donating 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