The Garden East of Eden

Is it a dream -- or an obsession -- when someone pours a $75 million fortune into an amusement park, based on trees, located in Gilroy?

Comments (0) By Jeremy Mullman Wednesday, Mar 6 2002

It seems heartless to point out that trees must be to the south of a Northern California house to provide summer shade and winter sun.

"And another thing is that trees are both responsive and nonconfrontational," he continues, like a chef set to reveal a secret ingredient. "They do whatever you want them to do. You don't have that luxury raising kids, you know? You can have a greater impact on your trees than on your kids."

Anthony Pidgeon

Vegetation-themed rides like the Apple and Worm are signature attractions at Bonfante Gardens.

Anthony Pidgeon

Michael Bonfante working in his tree-themed amusement park.

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"You see?" he says, seizing on a particularly interested nod and interpreting it as validation of all the 50 amusements, 10,000 trees, and 75 acres of Bonfante Gardens. "You didn't know all this shit! You'll never look at a tree the same way again! And if I can get one 10-year-old hooked, then he's got 70 years to enjoy that."

Back at his suddenly back-in-business theme park, Michael Bonfante has been up since 4 a.m. -- his typical rising time -- trying to get everything in shape.

This morning starts in the woodshop, where he works on new shade covers for one of his amusements. Then he stalks the park, talking to gardeners and technicians, covering the 75 acres over and over again on foot. At his sister's urging, he finally allows himself to be corralled for a photo shoot for a news article that will be seen by tens of thousands of people who just might visit his struggling theme park.

Bonfante, unshaven and wearing filthy sweat pants, goes to work pruning a conifer.

"Can you look at the camera, please?" a photographer asks.

"How can I prune the tree if I'm not looking at it? If I'm going to stand here," Michael Bonfante says, "I might as well be productive."