General Facts:

Started as an idea over 27 years ago, Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park (formerly Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park) consists of approximately 600 acres located off Highway 152, 3 miles west of downtown Gilroy.

350 acres are dedicated as open space acres.

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park was designed and created by Michael Bonfante, former president and majority owner of Nob Hill Foods, a 27-store grocery store chain with 2,600 employees in eight Northern California counties. It was sold to Sacramento based Raley's Supermarkets in 1998.

Operations Facts:

1.1 million square feet of concrete, enough to cover 23 football fields, have been laid throughout the park.

Coyote Lake holds 3 million gallons of water.

Gilroy Gardens employs approximately 550 seasonal associates, the majority live in South Santa Clara County.

Education Facts:

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that supports horticulture and beautification projects throughout the community.

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park features 4 "Learning Sheds" throughout the park. "Learning Sheds" are open-air kiosks that resemble agricultural-style drying sheds and contain 2-6 minute educational videos on 7 different topics such as the world-famous Circus Trees and good garden manners. The content is developed so an eight-year-old can understand it but is intended for visitors of all ages.

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park features educational field trip programs for students annually. The park develops its programs within the state standards for life science and history.