The park houses the Japanese Friendship Garden, which was established as a symbol of the sister-city relationship between San Jose and Okayama, Japan.
It contains the San Jose Historical Museum, an outdoor collection of relocated and preserved historic buildings from the Santa Clara Valley.
The onsite Happy Hollow Park & Zoo has operated as a regional attraction for children since 1961.
The park's lawn bowling greens are part of a facility managed to accommodate traditional flat-green bowling tournaments.
Large sections of the park are built on land that historically transitioned from agricultural use to public recreational space.
Coyote Creek, which runs through the park, serves as a natural corridor for local wildlife and regional trail systems.
Kelley Park is a 172-acre municipal green space in San Jose situated along the banks of Coyote Creek. The park serves as a central hub for multiple cultural and educational institutions, including the Japanese Friendship Garden and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. The grounds feature dedicated lawn bowling greens maintained by a local club. Visitors can access diverse recreational facilities such as picnic groves, meadows, and winding walking paths that connect the various distinct areas of the park. It functions as a regional destination for family-oriented outdoor activities and local community events. The park is managed by the City of San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services.
The arched wooden bridges and koi ponds within the Japanese Friendship Garden.
Verify specific event dates for the Japanese Friendship Garden, as it may host private cultural functions.
Wear comfortable footwear suitable for walking between the geographically spread-out attractions within the 172-acre grounds.
Check the park's official website for current operational status of the zoo and museum before visiting.
Do not leave valuables in parked vehicles, as parking areas serve multiple high-traffic attractions.
Individual facilities within the park, such as the zoo and the Japanese Friendship Garden, maintain separate operating schedules from the main park grounds.
Stay on marked trails to protect local vegetation; follow posted rules for the lawn bowling area if in use.
