Gilroy Gardens
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA horticulture-themed family amusement and nature park in Gilroy, California.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Gilroy Gardens, formally known as Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, is a horticulture-themed amusement and nature park in Gilroy, California. Rather than presenting itself solely as a conventional rides-focused theme park, it combines family attractions, gardens, botanical displays, educational experiences, and living tree sculpture. Its most distinctive feature is the collection of Circus Trees, unusual trees shaped into architectural and decorative forms that originated with horticulturist Axel Erlandson. The park grew out of the vision of Michael and Claudia Bonfante. The Bonfantes had previously built the Nob Hill Foods supermarket chain and used the proceeds from its sale to Raley's to develop a large tree-centered recreational property. Before becoming a public amusement park, the site was known as Tree Haven. It functioned as a commercial nursery and as a recreational facility for Nob Hill Foods employees while the Bonfantes developed the property over approximately 25 years. The attraction opened to the public in June 2001 under the name Bonfante Gardens. Its original concept emphasized gardens and unusual horticulture alongside rides and family entertainment. The park experienced weak attendance and financial pressure during its first two operating years, closing early in its first two seasons and facing uncertainty over whether it would continue into a third season. Paramount Parks began managing the park under contract in 2003. After Cedar Fair acquired Paramount Parks from CBS Corporation in 2006, Cedar Fair continued the management arrangement. The park was renamed Gilroy Gardens in February 2007, a change that tied the attraction more directly to its home city. Gil and Roy, the park's mascots, were introduced in 2007 and 2013 respectively. The City of Gilroy purchased the park on March 5, 2008. Although the city owns the property, day-to-day operation has been associated with Gilroy Gardens, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Its attractions include family rides, selected thrill and roller-coaster experiences, water-play areas, gardens, playgrounds, and themed environmental features. The park has been described as containing more than 40 rides and attractions, while specific listings identify six gardens, 19 rides, and 27 other attractions. The Circus Trees remain the principal signature offering: 24 shaped trees display living forms such as multiple trunks, basket-weave structures, and heart patterns. Gilroy Gardens also operates seasonal programming. Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights began in 2004, and the park has used additional seasonal events and characters for programs such as Great Big Boo and North Pole Nights. In 2020, the park closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened in May 2021 with restrictions that included California-resident eligibility, social distancing, and mask requirements. The management contract with Cedar Fair ended on December 31, 2021, after both parties decided not to renew it; Gilroy Gardens, Inc. resumed independent operation for the 2022 season. The park remains a locally oriented California attraction whose identity rests on the combination of gardens, living-tree art, and accessible family entertainment. In July 2025, the site hosted the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, connecting the venue with the agricultural and cultural identity of the surrounding community.
History
Gilroy Gardens developed from a long-term horticultural project created by Michael and Claudia Bonfante. After selling the Nob Hill Foods supermarket chain to Raley's, the Bonfantes devoted resources to building a tree-centered recreational destination in Gilroy, California. The property was initially known as Tree Haven. Before opening as a public amusement park, it operated as a commercial nursery and as a recreation facility for Nob Hill Foods employees. The project took approximately 25 years to develop. Its central idea was to combine gardens and unusual living-tree forms with family recreation. The site became especially associated with the Circus Trees created by Axel Erlandson, whose techniques shaped trees into structures with multiple trunks, woven patterns, and decorative forms. The collection includes 24 notable trees and became the park's most recognizable horticultural feature. The attraction opened to the public in June 2001 as Bonfante Gardens. Its first years were difficult: attendance was lower than expected, the park closed early in its first two seasons, and management questioned whether the attraction should open for a third season. Paramount Parks took over management under contract beginning with the 2003 season. When Cedar Fair acquired Paramount Parks from CBS Corporation in June 2006, Cedar Fair continued to manage the park. A major identity change occurred in February 2007, when Bonfante Gardens was renamed Gilroy Gardens. The new name emphasized the park's relationship with the City of Gilroy and its local setting. Gil, one of the park's mascots, was introduced in 2007, followed by Roy in 2013. Seasonal programming also became part of the operating model. The annual Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights event began in 2004, while later seasonal offerings included Great Big Boo and North Pole Nights. The City of Gilroy purchased the park on March 5, 2008. Ownership and operation were distinct: the city owned the property, while Gilroy Gardens, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, was associated with operating the attraction. Cedar Fair continued under the management agreement until December 31, 2021. The contract was not renewed, and Gilroy Gardens, Inc. operated the park independently from the 2022 season onward. The park's attractions combine rides, gardens, water play, playgrounds, and environmental features. It has been described as having more than 40 rides and attractions, with detailed listings identifying 19 rides, 27 other attractions, and six gardens. Notable features include Bonfante Falls, Oak Park Playground, Water Oasis, and Lakeside Splash. Lakeside Splash was introduced in 2024 to replace Bonfante's Splash Garden, while the former Pinnacles Rock Maze is no longer listed as an operating attraction. Gilroy Gardens closed in mid-March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened in May 2021 with restrictions that included limiting admission to California residents and requiring measures such as physical distancing and mask use. In the years since, the park has continued to operate as a regional family destination centered on horticulture, living-tree art, rides, and seasonal events. In July 2025, its site hosted the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, reinforcing its role as a venue connected to the wider Gilroy community.
- 2025
Gilroy Garlic Festival hosted at the site
[1]The venue hosts the annual festival from July 25 to July 27.
- 2024
Lakeside Splash opens
[1]A new children's water-play area replaces Bonfante's Splash Garden.
- 2022
Nonprofit resumes direct operation
[1]Gilroy Gardens, Inc. begins operating the park independently.
- 2021
Reopening after COVID-19 closure
[1]The park reopens in May with pandemic-related admission and safety restrictions.
- 2021
Cedar Fair contract expires
[1]Cedar Fair's management agreement ends on December 31 and is not renewed.
- 2020
Pandemic closure
[1]Gilroy Gardens closes in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2013
Mascot Roy is introduced
[1]Roy joins Gil as one of the park's principal mascots.
- 2008
City of Gilroy acquires the park
[1]The City of Gilroy purchases the property while nonprofit operations continue.
- 2007
Bonfante Gardens is renamed Gilroy Gardens
[1]The park adopts the Gilroy Gardens name and introduces the mascot Gil.
- 2004
Holiday Lights launches
[1]The park begins its annual Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights celebration.
Products and positioning
A family-oriented amusement and nature park differentiated by gardens, horticultural displays, living-tree art, and seasonal community programming.
Horticultural attraction
Circus Trees
The Circus Trees are Gilroy Gardens' signature attraction. The collection consists of 24 living trees shaped into unusual forms, including multiple-trunk structures, basket-weave designs, and heart patterns. They were created by horticulturist Axel Erlandson and represent the park's central combination of botanical display, living sculpture, and family education.
Amusement-park rides · 2001
Family rides and attractions
Gilroy Gardens offers a collection of rides and attractions designed primarily for families and children, supplemented by selected thrill and roller-coaster experiences. The ride portfolio is integrated into gardens and landscaped areas rather than presented as a standalone rides midway, supporting the park's nature-oriented identity.
Water-play attraction · 2014
Water Oasis
Water Oasis is a water-play area aimed at younger children. It forms part of the park's family recreation offer and extends the attraction mix beyond dry rides and horticultural displays.
Water-play attraction · 2024
Lakeside Splash
Lakeside Splash is a children's water-play area with slides. Introduced in 2024, it replaced the former Bonfante's Splash Garden and represents a more recent refresh of the park's aquatic family attractions.
Seasonal event · 2004
Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights
Holiday Lights is the park's annual holiday-season celebration. It began in 2004 and adds seasonal illumination and programming to the park's normal gardens and attractions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2004Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights
United States · California
Gilroy Gardens introduced its recurring Holiday Lights event, using seasonal programming to extend the park's calendar beyond the regular operating season.
Outcome. The event became an annual seasonal offering.
- Great Big Boo
United States · California
Great Big Boo is a seasonal Halloween-oriented program associated with the park and its seasonal characters.
- North Pole Nights
United States · California
North Pole Nights is a seasonal winter program using themed entertainment and seasonal mascots.
Brand decisions
2024
Introduction of Lakeside SplashProduct launchBackground
The park had previously operated Bonfante's Splash Garden as a water-play attraction.
Action taken
Gilroy Gardens introduced Lakeside Splash, a children's water-play area with slides, replacing Bonfante's Splash Garden.
Aftermath
Lakeside Splash became part of the park's active family attraction portfolio.
2021
End of Cedar Fair management agreementStrategyBackground
Cedar Fair had continued the management arrangement inherited through its acquisition of Paramount Parks.
Action taken
The management contract expired on December 31, 2021, and both parties decided not to renew it.
Aftermath
Gilroy Gardens, Inc. took over direct operation for the 2022 season.
2008
City acquisition of the parkM&ABackground
The park had experienced financial and attendance challenges and was being managed under contract by Cedar Fair.
Action taken
The City of Gilroy purchased the park on March 5, 2008.
Aftermath
The city became the property owner while Gilroy Gardens, Inc. remained associated with nonprofit operation.
2007
Rebrand from Bonfante Gardens to Gilroy GardensStrategyBackground
The park opened under the Bonfante Gardens name in 2001 and changed its name after several difficult early operating seasons.
Action taken
Management adopted the Gilroy Gardens name in February 2007, placing greater emphasis on the park's connection with its home city.
Aftermath
The Gilroy Gardens name became the park's continuing public identity.
Sources2 sources
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