The City Of San José Regional Parks Offer a Variety of Beautiful Gardens and Unique Settings For Your Special Day. Whether you’re looking for The Fragrant Beauty of The Municipal Rose Garden
The Bucolic Surroundings of The Last Barn, The Natural Wildlife Sanctuaries and Peaceful Settings of Overfelt Gardens, The Cool Blue of Almaden Lake Park or to be surrounded by utter Tranquility in
The Japanese Friendship Garden we have the location for you.

KELLEY PARK

Although it is centrally located on Senter Road, Kelley Park seems a world away with its fabulous gardens and tranquil atmosphere. Within Kelley Park's expansive, woodsy grounds are a host of attractive ceremony sites including: Leininger Lower Patio, an intimate courtyard garden, Japanese Friendship Garden, a tranquil exotic setting, Kelley Amphitheater, a Greek-style outdoor theater surrounded by majestic trees. Kelley Park offers ample parking close to each of its three wedding sites.

Leininger LOWER PATIO
Capacity: 175 Guests

The Leininger Lower Patio offers a private courtyard site featuring a redwood arbor laced with blooming jasmine and surrounded by colorful annual flowers. It is the preferred spot for exchanging vows at Kelley Park. A windbreak of redwood trees cast shade from the morning sun and the layout makes for a relaxed seating. This wedding site accommodates seating for up to 175 guests and is just steps away from your reception at Leininger Center. It is the perfect place to host a garden wedding ceremony and reception at the same location. The Lower Patio is only rented in conjunction with the Okayama Room providing easy access to changing rooms and a convenient indoor/outdoor flow.

Kelley AMPHITHEATER
Capacity: 200 Guests

Surrounded by mature trees and lush vegetation, this Greek-style amphitheater integrates a natural setting into your ceremony. The design of the site offers excellent visibility for each guest; it makes for stunning videos and photos. This site is rented in conjunction with the Okayama Room or other Kelley Park facilities Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

SAN JOSE MUNICIPAL ROSE GARDEN

The San Jose Municipal Rose Garden was recognized for its stunning beauty by being voted "America's Best Rose Garden" by All American Rose Selection (AARS) and "best location" to get married by the San Jose Mercury News in the same year. This popular 5 1/2-acre park, located in the Rose Garden District at Naglee and Dana Avenues, is a world of color and fragrance. Roses, roses everywhere; from palest pinks to the deepest reds, your guests will be surrounding by delightful scents and images. Over 4,000 colorful roses are in bloom from April through November. The Rose Garden is at its peak in May when the blossoms are at their most aromatic and romantic best. The Municipal Rose Garden offers two sites for wedding ceremonies, the Fountain Arbor and the Rose Garden Stage.

Fountain/Arbor
Capacity: 75 Guests

The fountain/arbor area is the ideal place for an intimate ceremony with up to 75 standing guests. A heavy timber arbor covered with a cascade of white roses creates a formal entry into the rose garden and forms an elegant approach for the wedding party. At the garden's center lies a historic art deco reflection pool and fountain, a perfect backdrop for a perfect ceremony.

Rose Garden Stage

Capacity: 200 Guests

The Rose Garden Stage is just right for a larger ceremony. Your guests will have a clear view of the event on the natural grass stage surrounded by a cathedral of redwood trees. Between the roses and the trees you’ll create a magical setting. You may bring in chairs for your ceremony at the Garden Stage.

JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN

Capacity: 300 Guests

What better way to commit to the ultimate friendship than in the historic Japanese Friendship Garden? The Garden was built as a symbol of everlasting friendship between the City of San Jose and its Sister City of Okayama, Japan in 1965 and is patterned after the world famous Korakuen Garden in Okayama. In every direction the eye is delighted, complete with picturesque Japanese bridges, waterfalls and golden Koi fish. A year-round brook flows the length of the garden, pausing now and again to calm itself in one of several lovely ponds. It is truly an idyllic place to hold a ceremony. The "Living Symbol of Friendship" is available for wedding ceremonies only.

THE LAST BARN at Prusch Farm Park

Capacity: 150 Guests

The Last Barn is an open-air sculpture comprised of bright red lacy ironwork set in a large open meadow, nestled alongside fruit orchards and redwood trees. The site celebrates San Jose’s agricultural past and commitment to protecting the earth. It is a unique country setting for a wedding ceremony or small gathering. Emma Prusch consists of 47 acres located in an urban setting, surrounded with rare fruit orchards, community gardens, butterfly gardens, as well as lush green lawns for picnics and playing.

OVERFELT GARDENS

Capacity: 75 Guests

It’s a journey to the Far East right here in San Jose. Overfelt Gardens, a 33-acre historic park located at McKee Road and Educational Park Drive, is a dream come true for anyone seeking exquisitely landscaped gardens and a serene, peaceful atmosphere. Palm Grove, nestled within the lush, tree-shaded grounds is, ideal for a wedding ceremony. Native and exotic tree groves, palm trees, a fragrance garden, a fountain and extensive natural and wildlife areas surround the Grove. This garden wedding location can accommodate up to 75 guests, chairs allowed. Overfelt Gardens is the home of the Chinese Cultural Center and is steeped in the history and mystery of China.

ALMADEN LAKE AMPHITHEATER

Capacity: 75 Guests

Located on the east side of the park (off Winfield Blvd,) the Almaden Lake Amphitheater is a one-of-its-kind setting in San Jose's park system. Eucalyptus trees, weeping willows and the music of song birds surround the area. Your back drop is the intense blue of Almaden Lake while canvas sails shade the ceremony site.  This site provides comfortable grass and cement seating for guests and is handicapped accessible. Complete your special day at the lake by reserving one of the adjacent picnic areas available for reservation for the reception after the ceremony.

ADDITIONAL WEDDING VENUES
Wedding venues at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, as well as other Regional Parks will be available soon! Please contact (408) 794-PARK for additional details.

PARK RULES
Please help protect our valuable park resources and wildlife while visiting San Jose’s Regional Parks.  Assure an enjoyable visit for you and all of the park's visitors by complying with all park rules and any posted regulations. All other State Laws and San Jose Municipal Codes apply to the park and are strictly enforced. For specific park rules, contact the Reservation Office at (408) 794-PARK (7275).

PARK HOURS
All are open daily from 8am until half-hour after sunset with the exception of the Japanese Friendship Garden and Overfelt Gardens, which are open daily from 10am until Sunset.

PARKING
No admission fee is collected. However, some of our parks have parking fees. Please inquire at the Regional Park reservation Office.
This publication can be made available in alternative formats such as large print, computer discs, audio tape or Braille. Please call (408) 794·PARK (7275) or (408) 294-9337 (TTY) to request an alternative format.

RESERVATION PROCEDURES

• Reservations must be made in person at Leininger Center, located in Kelley Park at 1300 Senter Road Monday through Friday between 8:30am - 4:30pm
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Reservations can be made up to one year in advance of the desired date.
• We do not make tentative reservations or hold dates.
• Reservation fees are charged for all of the reservable wedding sites located at the parks described in this brochure.
• All fees are due and payable at the time the reservation is made.
• Clients who have ceremonies at one of our wedding sites are not required to have a photo permit on the day of the event.
• Special activities or large equipment intended for use must be submitted and approved at the time of reservation.
• Reservations are not confirmed and approved until the application is signed by City staff, logged and the pink permit is issued to the applicant.
• DO NOT PRINT OR DISTRIBUTE INVITATIONS UNTIL APPROVAL IS RECEIVED.
• There will be a service charge on all returned checks.
• Reservations may be changed up to 30 days prior to the date of use. Changes made within 30 days are subject to additional fees. All changes must be made in writing and no changes will be accepted within two weeks of the reserved date.
• CANCELLATIONS: Notice of cancellation must be made in person. A signed form is required and a portion of the reservation fee is retained on all cancellations.
• City of San José sponsored special events or department activities have priority over all activities.
• City of San José reserves the right to change or cancel any event.
• Wedding/Special Event sites are limited to a two-hour reservation, which includes set-up and clean-up, with exception of the Lower Patio and Japanese Friendship Garden.
• Clean-up is required after each permitted use. The permitted group must leave the reserved area clean. Should cleaning or repairs for damages be required, the permitted group will be billed at actual costs for said work.