P.O. Box 5366
San Jose, CA 95150
www.chcp.org
Co-Founders
Lillian Gong-Guy
Gerrye Wong
Executive Board
Kimberly Eng Lee, President
Dr. Christian Jochim,
Co-Vice President Education
Ingrid Lai,
Co-Vice President Outreach
Yucaipa Kwock, Secretary
Elizabeth Lee, Treasurer
Directors At Large
Liz Fong Chew
Edith Gong
Jue Lin
Tami Nguyen
William Shu
Brenda Hee Wong
Kan Wong
Judy Wong
David Yick
Peter Young
Trustees
Debbie Gong-Guy
Anita Wong Kwock,
Governing Trustee
Dr. Jeffery Lee, DDS
Gerrye Wong
Historian
Connie Young Yu
History is for Learning ~ Learning is for Life!
April 27, 2026
To Councilmembers of the City of San Jose,
The Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) has dedicated itself to preserving the history and cultural legacy of the Chinese diaspora in the Santa Clara Valley. Our first major project was to construct the Chinese American Historical Museum as a replica of ‘Ng Shing Gung’, a religious and community center from San Jose’s Heinlenville settlement.
In 1991, CHCP donated the museum to the City, making it available to the community, which now has one of the highest AAPI populations in the United States.
The current opportunity to name a park after Bill Kee, an active San Jose resident, businessman, and proponent of preserving the original 1888 temple from San Jose’s last Chinatown, is tangible evidence of the City’s work to recognize and celebrate the contributions of AAPIs. Mr. Kee’s 18 years of persistent advocacy, preceded the City’s retention and storage of the temple altar, until it found its current home in History Park. The ‘Ng Shing Gung’ altar is a key feature of the museum, which welcomes 5,000 weekend visitors locally and from abroad, and 1,000 children annually for field trips to learn about San Jose’s five lost Chinatowns. CHCP’s Immigration Grant Program has funded admission and buses for over 200 school tours and more than 4,500 students.
Bill Kee is a reminder that relationships which are bridge-building have wide community impact, can connect people across common interests, and help to reveal and preserve that which is initially lesser-known or valued. We hope you will vote to name the proposed park after Mr. Kee, with 2026 being the 35th Anniversary of the museum built in replica of the temple he endeavored to save. Like Bill Kee’s career as a bridge-builder, San Jose City Council’s historic 2021 resolution apologizing for the City’s role in past acts of discrimination against the Chinese immigrant community and their descendants, shows how a positive relationship can exist between a once denigrated immigrant community and the city government serving it.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Eng Lee
President, Chinese Historical and Cultural Project
CHCP is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization Fed. Tax ID # 77-0156509
April 28, 2026
Re: Agenda Item 26-471
Dear San José City Council and Park Planning Commission, Sandy and I live from the proposed Rinconada Park. We urge you to reconsider this development.
While we support thoughtful investment in public spaces, community concerns about traffic, safety, and neighborhood character outweigh the potential benefits of this location.
The current proposal includes amenities such as a playground, a walking loop, public art, a pollinator garden, and a bioretention area. We are concerned about high-traffic features such as the playground, walking loop, picnic areas, pavilions, and barbecue facilities, which would significantly increase activity in this quiet residential area.
First, the surrounding streets are not equipped to handle increased traffic and parking demand.
Existing congestion from nearby developments has already strained Rinconada Drive and Pebble Beach Drive. A destination park would intensify these conditions, creating safety risks and reducing livability for residents.
Second, the site borders homes and a long-standing residential care facility, so increased noise, activity, and loss of privacy could deeply affect residents' quality of life and sense of community.
Third, safety is a key concern, as the site has previously experienced illegal encampments and illicit activity. Limited lighting and a lack of secure access could worsen these issues.
Finally, ongoing maintenance is vital; existing issues such as unmanaged vegetation and fire hazards need to be addressed before adding high-use amenities to prevent neglect and ensure community safety.
As an alternative, we encourage the Council to consider more compatible, lower-impact uses for this parcel. Options such as a small-scale parking facility to alleviate overflow from nearby apartment complexes or secured storage for City-owned equipment and assets would better align with existing infrastructure and reduce unintended impacts on residents while still providing practical community value and a potential revenue source for the City.
We respectfully ask the Council to reject or significantly modify the current proposal by removing high-traffic elements and prioritizing uses that preserve neighborhood safety and quality of life.
Illustrations of the neighborhood context and specific concerns are included for your reference.
Sincerely,
Garrett Bondaug & Sandra Alfaro
San Jose, CA 95125