Gilroy Gardens

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Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
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Location 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy. Gilroy, California, United States
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Owner City of Gilroy, California
Operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company
Opened June 2001
Previous names Bonfante Gardens (2001–2006)
Operating season Late March — December
Area 536 acres (0.838 sq mi; 217 ha)
Rides
Total 21
Roller coasters 2
Website Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park (formerly known as Bonfante Gardens) is a garden themed family theme park in Gilroy, California, United States. The park has 22 rides and 5 attractions. It is also home of the Circus Trees, created by Axel Erlandson.[1] The park was designed and built by Michael Bonfante. It originally opened in July 2001. The park and the 536 acres it resides on is now owned by the City of Gilroy. Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park (a 501(c)(3) corporation) operates the park, which is managed by Cedar Fair.

History

One of the world famous Circus Trees at Gilroy Gardens

The park was founded by Michael and Claudia Bonfante after selling their Nob Hill Foods supermarket chain to build the park. The park was constructed gradually over a period of 25 years. Before it became an amusement park open to the public, it was known as Tree Haven, and was a commercial plant nursery, as well as a recreational facility for employees of Nob Hill Foods. The park opened to the public in June 2001 as Bonfante Gardens. The name was changed to Gilroy Gardens in February 2007.[2] The park features 19 rides, 27 attractions and six gardens. The most well known garden features 24 Circus Trees that were grown and shaped with multiple trunks, basket-weave patterns, and hearts.[3]

Starting in 2004, the park began its annual holiday celebration, Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights.

The park struggled with financial difficulty and low attendance during the first two years of operation. It closed early for its first two seasons and the park's management debated whether to open the park at all for the third season. Paramount Parks began to manage the park on contract starting with the 2003 season.[4]

Gilroy Gardens operates under the management of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, which acquired Paramount Parks from CBS Corporation on June 30, 2006.[5]

The city of Gilroy purchased the park on March 5, 2008.

In August 2013, the park announced it would be opening a new water play area in 2014, aimed at smaller children. The proposed construction cost of this addition was $2 million.[6]

Attractions

Rides:

  • Apple & Worm - Children's caterpillar ride around a giant apple core.
  • Artichoke Dip - Artichoke ride around a coastal live oak tree.
  • Banana Split — Banana-shaped swinging ship ride.
  • Balloon Flight - Balloon ride.
  • Big Red Engine Co. - Children's firetruck ride.
  • Bonfante Railroad — 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge[7] train ride around park perimeter.
  • Bulgy The Goldfish - Children's fish ride.
  • Garlic Twirl - Garlic-themed "tea cups" style ride.
  • Illions Supreme Carousel - Vintage caousel built in 1927 by M.C. Illions
  • Mushroom Swing — Mushroom shaped swing ride.
  • Paddle Boats — Duck shaped paddle boats.
  • Panoramic Wheel - Mini Ferris wheel.
  • Pitstop Racers - Children's race car ride.
  • Quicksilver Express — Mine-themed roller coaster.
  • Rainbow Gardens Boats — Raft ride though flower gardens.
  • Sky Trail Monorail — Monorail ride through Monarch Butterfly Greenhouse. Audio tape still refers to the park as "Bonfante Gardens"
  • South County Backroads - Car attraction featuring two tracks: one side themed to the 1920s cars, and the other themed to 1950s cars.
  • Strawberry Sundae - Spinning strawberry ride.
  • Timber Twister — Rattlesnake themed junior roller coaster.
  • Tubs-O-Fun - Children's "tea cups" ride.

Other Attractions:

  • Bonfante's Splash Garden - Water play area
  • Oak Park Playground - Children's play area.
  • Pinnacles Rock Maze - Maze themed to caves and rock formations.
  • Water Play Area — Water park aimed at smaller children (Opening 2014).

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gilroy Gardens, About.com
  2. ↑ Bonfante Gardens to Be Renamed Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park (Feb. 26. 2007), prnewswire.com
  3. ↑ "Landscaping - February 2015" (Feb 2015), iaapa.org
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2013/08/gilroy-gardens-plans-new-splash-area.html
  7. ↑ Crown Metal Products Locomotive Roster

External links

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