The Bay Park Conservancy
2022 Annual Report
Thanks to You…
Phase 1 of the park opened in October 2022, delivering on the promise of what The Bay can and will become - a beloved and sustainable gathering place that is open and accessible, free and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of our community - now and for generations to come.
10 Days to Remember!
From October 14-23, 2022, The Bay officially opened to the community featuring over 90 free events - transforming the city’s precious bayfront into a world-class park for all to enjoy.
1,000 foodies enjoyed the Taste of The Bay Food Festival
2,000 people enjoyed the Multicultural Festival
3,000 music-lovers enjoyed the bayfront We The Kings concert
4,000 family members enjoyed the not-so-spooky Boo! at The Bay Halloween
5,000 fans enjoyed The Long Run concert (the best Eagles tribute band in the US!)
50,000 visited
The Bay during the
10 Days at The Bay
Grand Opening
New Park Progress
The Community Welcomed
Sara & Zota to The Bay!
Thanks to the participation of the community, the two larger-than-life Ibis at The Bay's new playspace were named... Sara and Zota! A nod to the past, present and future of Sarasota, Sara and Zota have found a forever home in the heart of The Bay in 2022.
In addition to the Ibis playground, a number of new park features opened at The Bay.
New Park Features
Resilient Shoreline
Sunset Deck
Common Ground
The Nest & Shade Structure
LED Screen
The Oval
Bayou Bridge
Reading Room
New Natural Improvements
New Environmental Features at The Bay
Thanks to generous partners from Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the inviting and spacious Common Ground lawns provide a “go-to” green space for all to gather, play, relax and enjoy.
Rescued Trees Planted Throughout the Park
Thanks to a generous philanthropist, in 2021 a tree nursery rescued trees that would otherwise have been cut down. In 2022, those trees were replanted throughout the park.
Building a Resilient Shoreline
The opening of a half-mile stretch of living and resilient shoreline enables nature to handle storm surges and solve the problems created by powerful storms when they happen.
Ibis Flocked Back to The Bay
After the restoration of the Mangrove Bayou in 2021, flocks of Ibis returned to The Bay's coastal mangroves and waters.
New Park Funding
$10 million Government Grant Awarded to The Bay Environmental Projects
January
More than $1 million Contributed by Gulf Coast Community Foundation
January
The Bay Ranks #1 in the 2022 Giving Challenge
April
The Bay Park Conservancy Reaches Fundraising Milestone
July
The Bay Receives Unanimous Approval of $48MM to build Phase 2 of The Bay Park
September
1,750+ Community Members Are Friends of the Bay and 102 Businesses Became Founding Business Partners!
December