Formerly known as Bonfante Gardens, Gilroy Gardens is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. After selling their Nob Hill Foods supermarkets, the Park was founded by Michael and Claudia Bonfante and is designed to educate guests and to foster a greater appreciation of horticulture.

Now, a Board of Directors guides the decision making for the development, maintenance, and operation of this unique park. The goal is to return a percentage of annual revenues back into beautification and parks projects throughout neighboring communities. The Board of Directors is specifically challenged to find public works projects to initiate and/or support those that follow the ideals of preservation, stewardship and ecology for which the theme park stands. At this time the Park is not set up for individual grants.

Gilroy Gardens includes rides, attractions, theme gardens, food concessions, an event plaza, and more. Plus, the main attractions - some very unusual, over 50 years old, one-of-a-kind Circus Trees rescued from Scotts Valley, California.

Some of the Rides and Attractions:

• Monarch Garden - in a greenhouse so large that a train, a monorail, and a river runs through it!
• The "Quicksilver Express" mine coaster
• A boat ride through gardens of annual color
• An antique car ride where you travel through the "back roads" of South County in cars from the 1920's or 1950's