Tucked into the rolling hills of Gilroy, California, the world’s garlic capital, is a theme park unlike any other. Gilroy Gardens isn’t about high-speed thrills or flashy fireworks. Instead, it’s about something a little more special and a lot more greenery: a place where families can explore, learn, and grow together. It’s part theme park, part botanical garden, and wholly magical.
What Makes Gilroy Gardens So Special?
Initially opened in 2001, Gilroy Gardens was the idea of Michael Bonfante, who loved trees so much that he spent years shaping them into wild and whimsical art pieces. These “Circus Trees,” with their spiral trunks and looped branches, are still one of the park’s biggest drawing attractions. And though there are over 40 rides and attractions within Gilroy Gardens, everything is designed to fit into the natural landscape. Think of spinning garlic bulbs, flower-themed rides, and the peaceful paddle boats floating through tree-lined canals.
It’s charming, quirky, and built around one big idea: that nature is something worth educating and celebrating.
Yes, They’re a Nonprofit
Since 2008, Gilroy Gardens has operated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, meaning they are much more than ticket sales. Their mission is “to inspire a love of horticulture and a greater appreciation for the natural world through fun and family learning.”
So, what does that look like?
- They offer educational field trips with science-based lesson plans for K–8 students
- Their Learn’ n’ Grow program connects kids to hands-on lessons about plant life and sustainability
- They make the park accessible to local schools and community groups, keeping prices low and learning opportunities high
You can read more about their mission here!
https://www.gilroygardens.org/support/
Why It Works
Gilroy Gardens fills a very unique space in the theme park world. It’s gentle, immersive, and designed with families/ nature lovers in mind, especially those with younger kids or sensory sensitivities. Instead of long lines and loud noises, you get flower-lined paths, educational garden spots, and shade-covered picnic areas.
As someone who loves amusement parks and storytelling, I admire how they’ve built an experience around respect, serenity, and curiosity. Gilroy Gardens isn’t just entertaining guests; it is helping them connect to the environment around them.
In Short:
Gilroy Gardens perfectly blends family fun and a deep love for nature. As a nonprofit, they focus on education, community access, and creating enchanting memories in a peaceful, garden-filled setting. It’s a theme park where growing, learning, and playing happen.
The Coscarelli Portfolio 
Leave a comment