Comments on: The Tree Circus and “Gilroy Gardens”

By: Jerkdog

Jerkdog — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:59:18 +0000

I used to work there back when it was called “Hecker Pass Family Adventure”. The place catered mostly to large company picnics (think HP, Intel, etc) and was a fun place to work. Back then (mid 90’s) Michael Bonfante had just started to construct the Theme Park part of the park. He’s a little eccentric, but the grounds were beautiful. Heck, we even had a pumpkin launching contest there in H.S. - our physics team won eventhough we almost killed some people with a miss fire. Good times.

By: Marlene

Marlene — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:56:58 +0000

Hey, I loved it when it was Bonfonte Gardens. The guy from Nob Hills Markets invested all of his money to make Bonfonte Gardens. He literally saved the trees from being cut down and had them moved to where they are now. He knew he had to add more attractions so he made a theme park. I went the first year he opened. It was lovely. They played classical music, had guides to explain the trees, incredible gardens, and some calm rides like a swan ride in the river. He even tried to have really good food, like fresh juices and no sodas. I don’t know if he went belly-up but I know that they really struggled. No one got it. I don’t know what it is now but it really was like a throw back to a park in the 50’s. If we lived closer to Gilroy we would have been regulars.

By: HeyMeg

HeyMeg — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:48:21 +0000

I seem to remember Mrs. Cool and I being taken to the Hershey Park gift store and chocolate museum in lieu of the actual theme park. As I recall we totally loved it. Perhaps such a compromise could be arranged in this case? Though I agree, it’s totally lame to see this attraction corrupted in this way!

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:35:23 +0000

Geez, besides commercializing the whole area with rides, etc, they actually transplanted the trees from their original location! I understand your grief.