Overfelt Gardens Park

I have never walked into a park and felt so bad for it! The fields are overgrown with weeds; the grass are brown; trash is everywhere (in old streams where water used to run); dried ponds galore; and graffiti boldly greets you upon your visit.
It hasn’t recovered since the drought. This place is just sad. smh. The website needs to be updated. The city should close the park, if they’re not going to clean it up. It’s not only sad to see such lost potential, but it also leaves a really bad impression of the city.
As we braved further, we saw what appeared to be an empty house by an empty stream, and then two random people from afar walking out from behind a building and toward our direction. Obviously, it didn’t take long for us to turn back and leave. Although it was daytime, it didn’t feel safe at all! Super creepy and scary vibe here. AVOID FULLY!!!

Unless if you don’t mind walking on goose excrement, this is not a good park for walking. It covers all the grounds of this park. If you don’t want to step on any, you’d be struggling trying to dodge them. There are other parks out there that are much better.

A complete dump, wasteland. This is a disgrace, particularly when compared to the Japanese f
Friendship Garden.
It looks not only unfinished, but abandoned. It’s simply confusing to be here.

This park has always been one of my favorite parks on the east side! I love the Asian décor here and I use to love all the water areas but of course since we are on drought it’s totally dry here. Many years ago I did have my engagement party here so of course this park will always be special to me!

There’s not that much to do here; there’s some Chinese structures and some paved paths to walk around, but other than that, it’s pretty boring. There’s also a lake but because of the drought, it was pretty dry.

It was bustling with kids after I went and people catching up for a chat. There was a temple there but it was restricted so I couldn’t see what was inside. I came here with two of my friends to take pictures and the pictures came out well! Scenery is nice, but would be better if less skateboarders. Other than that, great walk or bike for this area!

This park is beautiful. Just absolutely stunning. It’s a shame that now the rivers and lakes are all dried out, but I could only imagine how much more beautiful it would be if it weren’t for this drought we were in. It’s large and it’s spacious and there’s so much to look at. It’s sort of a small, free, touristy area where you can explore the chinese culture gardens that contain pagodas and a Confucius statue. There’s plenty of bench space, open grass space, trees, fountains. It’s clean and well maintained, there are some dry spots that could use some more maintenance to brighten the aesthetics of the park, but overall it’s really great. Based on some signage around here, there’s actually an area where you can go see wild life behind a fence. Unfortunately, none of that is there anymore.
Overall beautiful park to go for a nice morning job or long peaceful stroll. Strongly recommend. It’s adjacent to Independence High School.

This park is a hidden gem.
There’s a paved loop that’s about one mile long that meanders around groves of various tree types, including redwoods, palms, and maples, that’s perfect for jogging. One half of the park is dedicated to the Chinese Cultural Garden, which features some beautiful structures, and a large statue of Confucius. Unfortunately, the «pool» over which Confucius lords has been drained dry, which makes the fountain area look a bit like an abandoned skate park.
You can tell just how severe the California drought has been by looking at what used to be a pond on the grounds; in the wintertime there’s little more than a puddle for the ducks to wallow in. Nevertheless, the beautiful foliage makes up for everything, and there’s still a lot of birds to watch. I honestly wish that dogs were allowed in the park but, alas, I suspect that the park officials don’t want to deal with the danger of having the geese attacked.
With the long benches and park tables, this place would be perfect for a picnic in the summertime, or maybe even a small wedding ceremony.

5 stars to the team which maintains the park and looks after public safety
1 star for the CA Dept Fish and Wildlife’s policy to not remove and rehome the many, many semiaquatic turtles in the pond.
Learn about the issue here:
Do not abandon pets like rabbits, goldfish, cats or TURTLES in the park. Please don’t throw trash in the ponds.

Didn’t even realize I could review PARKS on here LOL.
WE LOVE THIS PARK. My husband introduced me to it about 3 years ago when our daughter was a baby. Im from the south side so I had never known of this beautiful east side secret!
Beautiful trees, flowers, ducks, geese and turtles! You can walk around and just enjoy everything.
We actually had our tiny wedding here in 2012. There were only like 7 people that we invited + kids. Everyone just showed up and we had a little quicky ceremony, snapped some pictures and left. I love this place.
My husband claims your not allowed to bring food in to eat. But I have seen birthday parties here before so I don’t know about that. I say yes you can he says no you can’t.
I’m trying to find a website to figure out the answer cause I would like to have a little get together there.

I wish it was better maintained. It’s such a beautiful park.

So peaceful. This place is really awesome. I came here with my Chinese Student Association, and we got to do community service here. The staff at Overfelt Garden, though not many, are REALLY NICE. They also need as much community service helper as they can get!!! SJ won’t give them anymore funding and it’s just sad to see a beautiful garden like this die. Help out if you can! They are in need of so much help. Everyone is nice here, and there is so much history in Overfelt Gardens.

A hidden garden that do not get much visitors. However, that is the beauty of it. Secluded, clean, peaceful, beautiful, and full of history.
In here, you will find the Chinese Cultural Garden, Mildred Overfelt’s old house (this used to be her dairy farm), a fragrance garden, and a wildlife sanctuary, who is dominated by Canadian Geese.
It’s free, plenty of parking, and a great little stroll.

A great place for walking, picnics, taking pictures, or just hanging back to relax.
My favorite part is the Chinese Culture area that has archetechture and murals from China. The woman there, who’s name I can’t remember, was very friendly and more than happy to tell me the history of these magnificant works of art. It’s connected to her family, so she holds it personally in her heart, which you’ll find out when you visit. I’ve had many dates here, and so I feel the same way. I couldn’t believe when she told me that vandals had defaced some of these amazing pieces of Chinese culture. The lack of funding doesn’t leave room for a park Ranger to be there, even at peak hours sometimes.
Be sure to check out the Aroma Garden and the wildlife on the 1.6 mile trail. You’ll be able to see a variety of birds: geese, mallards, and egrets just to name a few. The geese and birds that call Overfelt home are people friendly enough, but be careful, they might snap at you if they think you are feeding them. Yes, there is goose droppings on the trail. That’s what birds do. It’s called nature. Truth is, these parks don’t even have the money to have people clean, or again, even enough Rangers to watch over the park.
There is a place called Palm Grove that is reservable for weddings, with eighteen benches for guests.
This place is a true gem in San Jose. I have had some unforgettable times here, and we’re truely lucky to have Overfelt Park.

Too much goose poop! These birds might be pretty in the air, but on the ground they make a big mess. I stopped by with some friends on a really hot Sunday afternoon to attend a Mid-​Autumn Festival celebration. The park itself is pretty interesting because there is a distinct Chinese bent to it, what with the various Asian-​influenced architecture in the monuments and buildings. So it was a good setting for a Chinese festival. I liked walking the pathways, but the grassy areas looked a bit worse for wear, as if they needed more regular upkeep. \
Overall, a nice park, but not clean enough for me to want to visit regularly.

This park is beautiful & tranquil. I can do without all the bird poop on the ground though. I live all the Chinese influences that the gardens have, makes me feel at peace. A good place to take a stroll.

I went to Overfelt Gardens Park because they had their 19^th Annual Chinese Moon Festival Sun 9÷30÷12. FREE parking at the main parking lot on Educational Park Dr and Schulte Dr. The event was from 1−5pm.
I watched the Joi Ying Kung Fu & Lion Dancers & the Kung Fu Demo. Sylvia Lowe did a Community Paper Folding.
There was a Community Resource Section where they gave out a reusable bag from District 4, Councilmember Kansen Chu. Bone Marrow Drive, & other stuff for kids.
There was an Arts & Craft area for the kids too. I just walked by it, didn’t make anything.
At the Park there’s:
Three Ponds — lots of geese & ducks
Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall — didn’t get to see the inside, suppose to have a SYS statue inside. Two Lion Statues are out in front.
Confucius Statue — near a pond.
Plum Pavilion — people can relax here.
Friendship Gate — cool, impressive gate w/​Chinese characters & English
Overfelt House — closed off
The Black Stone — stones from Taiwan, some Chinese characters.
Chiang Kai-​Shek Pavilion — area to relax in w/​a statue of Chiang Kai-​Shek.
Bathrooms: women’s 2 stalls/​2 sinks.
CLOSED: Mondays!

A beautiful park in the middle of the hood! Say it aint so?!
This park is very quiet it was almost too good to be true
I was expecting to see homeless «residents» of the park or maybe some gangsters, but NO none of that.
We wondered why it was so empty, this is likely because there is strict no Grilling or Alcohol consumption rules, that are enforced by a park ranger patrolling the area.

I went to this park on a whim due to need for some physical activity, and was plesantly suprised. It’s nice, clean, peaceful park for a walk– there’re lots of ducks/​geese, ponds, beautiful trees including an area full of palm trees. You’ll also find a Chinese cultural center, along with beautiful architecture and statues. As it started to get dark, however, I didn’t feel safe in the area, maybe due to being the only one there? Regardless, it can get secluded, and I left due to safety concerns. So my tip is to go with someone– if you’re solo like I was, go early in the day. Overall, this is a great park to take a stroll– very nice, clean and relaxing.
The park is open from 10:00– Sunset. I wouldn’t stay there past sunset anyway for reasons mentioned above– safely concerns. Almost got stuck there– as I was about to leave, a gentleman was locking the gate, and had already locked the parking lot. So remember to leave as it’s starts getting dark or you may just be stuck in the park!
No fishing, swimming, dogs, biking, drinking, roller skating or grilling in the park. You’ll also find the occasional duck/​geese poop along your walk… but that’s what nature is all about. Oh, professional photgraphers must get a ‘special park use permit’ to take pictures at this park; pictures & videos not allowed for commercial use.

Overfelt by who? I came here looking for a location to do some wedding photos. To my dismay, it’s just like Southern Cal and everyone thinks photographers make a ton of money. A permit is required.
I thought i’d walk around and see if it would be worth it.
Aside from two trees whose leaves were turning to pretty colors because it’s Fall, the place is rather ‘Blah’ color wise. Greenish brown lakes– yuck! Some decent Asian structures, but not really wedding-​ish. The final deciding factor in not using this place is all the duck/​geese crap everywhere. I’m not going topay to have a wedding party walk in that! Disappointing.
If you need a place to relax, it serves it’s purpose and it’s free.