Gilroy considering water park replacement for Gilroy Gardens

Posted | Contributed by Jason Hammond

A sub-committee of the Gilroy city council will soon meet with representatives from a Florida amusement park company that could replace west Gilroy's struggling horticultural dream with a water park for children. The company, Parc Management, out of Jacksonville, seems interested in a long-term arrangement, possibly 30 years, but the Gilroy Gardens Board of Directors and Councilmen Dion Bracco, Perry Woodward and Bob Dillon cautioned that it's all just talk at this point. Monday night the three men will bring the water park idea and others to the full council before the body creates a master plan for the 536-acre property it bought in March for $13.2 million.

Related parks

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park

This is not a bad idea... Gilroy Gardens is a very mediocre family park at best.

-Chris M
www.americacoasters.com

If they have 560 acres of property to deal with, why couldnt they actually use some of the remaining undeveloped land into a waterpark that coexists with the current park? Why couldnt they take the horticulture them into the waterpark realm? Especially with the newer self sustaining natural pools they could actually make the waterpark seemless with nature. Even still there is alot that can be done depending on budget.

Zero G Thrills

On my visit 2 years ago when it was still Bonfante, I really found the park to have some unique qualities and much more of a European feel than American. Oh and wow the wonderful aromas that drifted around the park from all the horticulture. The circus trees are amazing. True if you're only visiting for thrills on rides, you'll probably be disappointed, but I found the park to be so much more than that. It'll be too bad if it turns into a water park attraction only.

I survived a Japanese typhoon and the Togo flat ride of death!!!!!!

They just bought it to close it! It'll now be a waterpark only attraction! Long-range competition for Great America! Conspiracy!

^ Ha Ha! Funny!

We went in 2002, and it was one of my favorite parks on the trip. It's really a beautiful park.. it would be a shame to have it close down.

I think a waterpark in addition to the existing, but maybe slightly smaller park would be the best way to go. Taking care of those flowers and plants must weigh heavily on the ol' pocketbook.

Another new major ride, perhaps a water ride would increase attendance as well, as they currently have no water-type rides, minus the paddle boats and tubs-o-fun.

One of their concerns is that people are coming, but eating outside the park, and not spending enough money there, they have a buffet deal on their website for a little over $40 that gets you admission and a meal. Thats not a bad idea.

Last edited by john peck,

Too bad. Now I'm wishing I had visited the park when we traveled to San Fran and Napa last year. We had limited park time and visited Santa Cruz and Discovery Kingdom.

Let's hope for this idea being an addition rather than a replacement. Anyway, want to increase attendance? Gravity Group.

"I go out at 3 o' clock for a quart of milk and come home to my son treating his body like an amusement park!" - Estelle Costanza

If CGA doesn't make it through the current 49ers situation could it open up more of a market for Gilroy Gardens?

Prowler. Opens May,2 2009.

I doubt it would help them much, I would think that the parks attract 2 different demographics. If anything, Discovery Kingdom would probably benefit.

884 Coasters, 34 States, 7 Countries
http://www.rollercoasterfreak.com My YouTube

You must be logged in to post