Dragon Mountain still closed after Santa Clara County shutdown.  Why?

Santa Clara County shut down a local, privately-owned park in 2019 over a number of land use and permit violations. The property owner (Keith (Kiet) Ngo) is now claiming county officials are delaying and stonewalling his efforts to fix these issues.

Ngo has hired consultant firms and lawyers to work with the county on an abatement plan and obtain the required permits, but after two years, little progress has been made.

Ngo also applied for a permit to allow public use in 2018. He said his applications kept getting delayed or sidetracked. 

It has been his dream to open a public space where the Vietnamese diaspora could find peace within nature and celebrate its rich culture and history. In 2014, that vision came to life when he bought 360 acres of land, he invested millions of dollars into the park and named it The Dragon Mountain, (or Thiên Long Sơn).

People describe this park as “a hidden gem” and “a sight to behold” in their online reviews, mesmerized by the serene hiking trail overlooking Silicon Valley and the many statues of religious figures in Buddhism, Catholicism and Vietnamese history.

“This is not about me—this is for our community,” Ngo said. “I’m not asking for donations, or any political support. I want a place where people could come be with nature and find tranquility.”

We urge Santa Clara County to review and giving permit to re-opening The Dragon Mountain.