$5 million total triggers additional $1 million match from Patterson Foundation

“Following a year-long challenge” to the public, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, an anonymous donor, The Patterson Foundation, the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, “and generous individuals and others” from throughout the community “have helped fuel park expansion and free park programming at The Bay” in downtown Sarasota, the Gulf Coast Foundation has announced.
“This milestone demonstrates the power of the community partnerships that enable The Bay to be ‘One Park for All’ — open and accessible, free and welcoming for everyone to enjoy,” a news release points out. “The funding will be used to support the design and development of an expanded Resilient Shoreline, as well as ongoing park operations, maintenance and FREE events and activities,” the release adds with emphasis.
“At Gulf Coast, we envision thriving communities with opportunities for all. Conserving, restoring, and transforming the 53 acres at The Bay by creating a sustainable blue-green oasis means that our vision will continue to thrive for generations to come,” Gulf Coast President and CEO Phillip Lanham said in the release. “Together with partners like The Patterson Foundation and Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, we have worked tirelessly to align our efforts and bring this bold, proactive vision to life,” he continued. “Today, we’re witnessing the fruits of that collaboration, a testament to the lasting impact we’re making on our community.”

“From the beginning,” the release notes, “The Bay has followed a set of guiding principles which includes One Park for All, A Gathering Place, and A Community of Partnerships.” Since The Bay Park opened in October 2022, more than 600,000 people have visited it, and more than 100,000 have participated in more than 1,500 free events and programs offered in the park, the release notes.
“Continued steadfast support from key partners like Gulf Coast Community Foundation and The Patterson Foundation, coupled with broad-reaching support from other foundations, business partners and donors enable The Bay to continue to deliver on the community’s needs, wants and aspirations for this important gathering place,” says AG Lafley, founding CEO of the Bay Park Conservancy, said in the release. “These catalyzing matches demonstrate the importance of The Bay and its growing positive impact — on the environment and on people,” he added.
Design and development of Phase 2 of the park, a 14-acre, $65-million development, “is underway with expected completion in 2026,” the release points out. The completed park will cost an estimated $175 million to $200 million, Lafley and other leaders of the park team have reported. The approximate timeline for completion is eight to 10 years, with a total of four or more phases, the release adds. For more information about The Bay and The Bay Park Conservancy, visit www.thebaysarasota.org, subscribe to The Bay newsletter, and follow The Bay on Facebook and Instagram.