The Bay and Gulf Coast Community Foundation are partnering on a new $2 million challenge match that invites philanthropists and the community to co-invest in completing The Bay Park and help sustain it for generations to come.
Gulf Coast recently approved a $1 million grant, doubled by anonymous Gulf Coast donors, to establish a total of $2 million in matching dollars for The Bay Park in downtown Sarasota. The funding will help support the completion of the park and help ensure that The Bay is sustainable in every way – environmentally, operationally, and financially. Donors who give by June 30, 2027, will have their gift matched dollar for dollar, helping raise $4 million to complete the park.
Gulf Coast has helped advance The Bay since the idea
of the park first took shape, when the community was faced with a once-in-a-generation decision about the future of this precious area on Sarasota’s bayfront. Early support helped lay the groundwork for many important contributions, including support for Common Ground, a centerpiece lawn in the first phase of the park, and the extension of the Resilient Shoreline as part of the second phase, currently in progress, which continues environmental restoration efforts throughout the park.
"Almost every day, The Bay is hosting something that brings people together – free and open to everyone, whether it's a walk in nature, a fitness class or a movie under the stars," said Phillip Lanham, Gulf Coast president. "That's what a shared, welcoming space does for a community. We're deeply grateful to the anonymous donors who partnered with Gulf Coast to bring this match to $2 million – doubling every dollar the community gives, for a combined $4 million for The Bay. That's an investment in this region that will pay dividends for generations to come."
More than 1.2 million people have visited The Bay since the park opened in October 2022. When complete, The Bay will create 53 acres of resilient green space and parkland for everyone in the community to enjoy while also treating millions of gallons of polluted stormwater before it enters Sarasota Bay.
With this match, “More Park for All” is within reach, creating even more opportunities for people to gather, connect, and thrive. To make a donation, visit thebaysarasota.org/support-the-park.
“This challenge match from Gulf Coast demonstrates the ongoing importance of The Bay and its growing positive impact – on the environment and on people throughout the community," said AG Lafley, founding CEO of the Bay Park Conservancy. "Continuing the momentum to create, complete, and provide access to more sustainable green space enables the park to continue to serve as a beloved 'third place' where people gather, connect, and belong. The Bay is 'One Park for All' – open and accessible, free and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of our community.”
More about The Bay
The Bay is a signature public park along Sarasota Bay that conserves, preserves, restores and transforms 53 acres of city-owned land along Sarasota Bay from what was mostly parking lot into a blue and green oasis – providing a sustainable bayfront gathering place for the community to experience and enjoy a wide range of park uses, free programs and events.
The first 10-acre phase of the park opened in October 2022. Design and development of Phase 2, the next 14-acre $65 million development, is fully funded and underway with expected completion in 2027. The completed park in total will cost an estimated $200 million and will take approximately 8-10 years to complete over four or more phases.
For more information about The Bay and The Bay Park Conservancy, thebaysarasota.org.
Submitted by Alyssa Holcomb
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: The Bay Park in Sarasota seeks new funding to support vision
