Overfelt Gardens/Chinese Cultural Gardens

My aunt and I recently visited the Overfelt Gardens in San Jose to learn more about Chinese gardens. The 33 acre garden is part of a land gift from the pioneering Overfelt family to the city of San Jose. Miss Mildred Overfelt, a retired school teacher, wanted to provide a place of serenity in the once rural area of San Jose. Our docent provided information about the garden, Chinese Cultural Center, and the Chinese history and worldview that is incorporated into the garden.

Overfelt Gardens – the statue of Confucis the philosoper. 

One of the most noticeable features of the garden is its atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Paths wander through the garden, circumventing the three percolation ponds (fed by the underground aquifer) and reflection pool by the statue of Confucius (drained of water during our visit). The water features host a variety of wild birds; turtles, frogs and fish; and small mammals. Benches, shelters, and pavilions are strategically placed along the paths, overlooking or framing beautiful views. We wandered at a slow pace, drinking in the fragrances and beauty, sometimes conversing and sometimes just enjoying the scene before us. We saw many of the elements of Chinese gardens that we explored in Elements of the Chinese Garden.

• Rock – a beautiful rock that was sent as a gift from the people of Taiwan. Recall that rocks invoke mountain ranges in the landscape.
• Water – the water treatments provide a sense of tranquility., and provide a home and resting place for wild creatures. 
• Plants – the garden is planted with palms, native California oaks, and trees native to China.
• Structure – the buildings provide focal points in the garden, places to gather or meditate. Many of the structures include poetry or inscriptions (like Confucius's Discourse on the Great Harmony, in both Chinese and English), and examples of Chinese architecture (such as tile roofs, ceramic fairies to keep away evil spirits, and a set of marble lions that represent male and female).

We both left the garden feel relaxed and refreshed, wanting to hold on to that feeling of serenity for as long as possible.