Parks newest additions sure to entertain and delight
Gilroy – Which ring inside a giant redwood marks the discovery of America? How do bees help plants grow? And how does a fuzzy crawler transform into a butterfly?
True to its mission, Bonfante Gardens’ newest additions promise to not only entertain kids with nature’s marvels, but to educate them as well.
The nonprofit horticultural park starts its 2006 season today with three new gardens and plans for several new exhibits.
A 1,000-year-old redwood trunk, which stands 6-feet tall and nearly 3-feet wide, will be on view starting today, while an exhibit beginning in May will provide a closer look at how honey bees pollinate plants.
A butterfly exhibit, scheduled to open in late June, showcases the life of a Monarch butterfly and allows children to interact with the rare creatures.
In addition, three redesigned gardens add variety to the traditional offerings that have made Bonfante a regional draw.
Park officials have spruced up the scenery along South County Backroads, one of the park’s most popular family rides where guests drive their own 1920s roadster or 1950s Chevy Corvette. The two-acre attraction now includes more than 1,000 shrubs, 19 flower beds and five animal-shaped topiaries.
Flower beds now lend a splash of color to the 75 conifers in Claudia’s Garden, as well as new Aptos Blue Redwoods that were lifted in by crane.
Last year’s Lily Pond is now a Holly Garden featuring 20-plus varieties of the plant and five holly topiaries.
The park plans to shut down all rides on May 5 and 26 to showcase its new features.
“It’s a chance for garden lovers to come and truly enjoy the gardens,” said park spokeswoman Holly Perez.
But redesigned gardens and exhibits aren’t the only new features guests will notice at Bonfante this season, according to Bob Kraemer, president of the park’s board of directors.
The park is better groomed and employees have a certain spring in their step – results of the park’s improved financial condition, Kraemer said.
This is the first time in three years the park will operate without tens of millions of dollars in debt looming over it.
Last summer, Bonfante finalized a 33-acre land sale that helped reduce its debt load from $70 million to a more manageable $13 million. Kraemer said the debt reduction has done far more than keep the park from getting carved up by creditors.
“On top of the maintenance, the beautification, we have spent major additional resources on education and horticulture,” said Kraemer, who visited during training day last week. “When you do that, you free up the employees … so they can concentrate on other areas of the park … I felt the employees themselves were more upbeat, more customer friendly.”
Bonfante Gardens is located at 3050 Hecker Pass Highway. For more information about schedules, discount tickets and park events, visit www.bonfantegardens.org or call (408) 840-7100.
