Iris Chang Park

Iris Chang Park is a 2.61-acre public space located in the River Oaks neighborhood of San Jose, California. The park, which opened in 2019, is named after Iris Chang, a Chinese American journalist, author, and historian known for her work on topics related to Asian American history and human rights.

The park's design incorporates several thoughtful elements that reflect Iris Chang's life and legacy. It features six installations created to carry on Chang's messages of personal activism for democracy and freedom. These installations include an entry marker engraved with the park's name, a stone engraved with a paragraph about Chang's legacy, and a 300-year-old antique Chinese grinding mill symbolizing Chang's belief in the importance of words as tools to reveal history.

The landscape of Iris Chang Park is characterized by flowing forms, inspired by Chang's belief in the "ripple effect" of individual actions. The park includes a nearly 100-foot diameter earthwork in the form of a "ripple in a pond" with a basalt stone sculpture at its center. The planting plan consists of grasses of various textures and sizes arranged in concentric and undulating waves, adding to the park's serene atmosphere.

Iris Chang Park provides a space for quiet reflection and community gathering. It offers walking paths, areas for relaxation, and serves as a place where visitors can contemplate Chang's life and legacy. The park's design aims to create a "Zen-like garden" atmosphere, as requested by community members during the planning process.

The park not only honors Iris Chang but also serves as a recreational space for the local community. It is open to the public from sunrise to sunset, providing residents with a nearby green space for various activities and enjoyment of nature.