A community of partnerships enables The Bay to become a reality.

KYLE BATTIE
Mayor, City of Sarasota

With the opening of Phase 1, it is clear The Bay Park Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Sarasota and the community, is committed to delivering its promise to create a signature public park for all. The Bay is an amazing community asset that greatly increases green space and public access to the water, both of which are especially important to our citizens.

Seeing a surface parking lot and vacant land transformed into an active open space for the community is humbling and gratifying. My heart is warmed when I see residents and visitors of various ages and ethnicities enjoying healthy outdoor activities, conversing at The Nest, playing on the Ibis Playground, lounging on Common Ground, or pausing at the end of the day on the Sunset Deck. This truly is a park for all! And with 50,000 people attending last year’s grand opening celebration, it is clear The Bay is a welcome addition to our community. 

I soundly support the City of Sarasota’s continued partnership with The Bay Park Conservancy and its ongoing efforts to be transparent and work with the community to create a special outdoor venue for us all.    

MARLON BROWN
City Manager, City of Sarasota

From the start, The Bay partnership has been founded on mutual respect and trust between The Bay Park Conservancy, the community and the City of Sarasota to transform the bayfront into a cultural epicenter while expanding public access to our beautiful waterfront. This public-private partnership is long-term, sustainable and the first of its kind for our community.

This is a tremendous endeavor for Sarasota. With the opening of Phase 1 last fall, we are seeing and experiencing firsthand the community’s excitement for this new urban park. It has been remarkable to witness the progress and transformation, the result of the City’s support of The Bay Park Conservancy.

On behalf of the City Commission, we are grateful for our partnership with The Bay Park Conservancy and look forward to the BPC implementing its Master Plan for an unparalleled blue and green oasis that will be enjoyed by many generations to come.

JENNIFER COMPTON
Board Chair, The Bay Park Conservancy

I was surprised.

Nothing in life prepared me for the experience of seeing The Bay Park come to life last October. The return of ibises roosting in the restored mangroves, the compelling architecture of The Nest pavilion, Sara and Zota beckoning kids of all ages to play at the larger-than-life Ibis playground and families experiencing time together.

Most surprising and rewarding to me is seeing the joy of park guests who come to The Bay unaware of what is in store for them. Kids kicking a ball on Common Ground, first-time visiting families who feel they are welcome and have unlimited access to view a spectacular sunset, and individuals of all ages enjoying one of the many free programs offered in the park every day. The Bay Park truly is One Park for All.

None of this would have happened without the first-of-its-kind public-private partnership with the City of Sarasota, our broad continuing partnership with the community, our vast network of talented partners, and the other stakeholders who donate their time, energy, and money to make The Bay a gathering place for the full and rich diversity of our community to enjoy.

We look forward to working closely with the City and all of our partners to continue to build on the promise and potential of The Bay. 

I would personally invite you to experience the park and ask you to let us know if we surprised you.

AG LAFLEY
Founding CEO, The Bay Park Conservancy

2022 was the year that the possibility of The Bay became a reality.

In October, we opened 14 acres of a beautiful new park on Sarasota Bay to the public. 50,000 guests came out to see the park and experience more than 90 activities, events, and programs during the 10-day Grand Opening.

On the beautiful Friday morning of October 21, City and County partners, federal and state supporters, donors and other stakeholders, neighbors, and the community of park enthusiasts joined us for a ribbon-cutting on Common Ground.

The Mayor presented The Bay Park Conservancy with a key to the City. The first phase in the transformation of a parking lot into a park was realized.

But, what was really exciting and heartwarming for those of us who have worked together on this community labor of love for years was the realization that the promise we made was coming true. During the grand opening and the 10 weeks that followed to the end of 2022, The Bay became One Park For All.

A gathering place that is open and accessible, free and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of our Sarasota community, now and for generations to come.

The dream is becoming reality.