$2 million challenge for Bay Park
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has approved a $1 million grant that has been doubled by anonymous donors to create a $2 million matching challenge for The Bay Park in downtown Sarasota.
The funding will be used to support the design and development of a new resilient shoreline as well as free park programming.
“The Bay is fully aligned with Gulf Coast’s priority areas of water quality and access to green spaces, and there is also substantial research that proves the positive impact of access to green space on our mental health, which is another top priority of Gulf Coast Community Foundation,” Gulf Coast president Phillip Lanham said. “Please join us in support of The Bay, our ‘one park for all’ that is open and accessible, free and welcoming for everyone to enjoy.”
Donations can be made via thebaysarasota.org/support-the-park.
“This challenge match from Gulf Coast demonstrates the importance of The Bay and its growing positive impact – on the environment and on people,” said AG Lafley, founding CEO Bay
Park Conservancy. “Creating and providing access to more, sustainable green space and more high-quality free programming enables the park to continue to be a delightful place that is open and accessible, free and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of the community – now, and for future generations.”
Since opening in October 2022, more than 400,000 people have visited The Bay, and more than 50,000 people have participated in free events and programs offered in the park.
Gulf Coast has already made many important contributions to The Bay, including support of Common Ground, a centerpiece in the first phase of the park, which has become a sustainable outdoor gathering space for everyone in the community to enjoy.
Extending the resilient shoreline as part of Phase 2 will build on the continual environmental restoration efforts throughout the park and will treat millions of gallons of polluted stormwater before it enters Sarasota Bay, according to environmental experts.
Submitted by Rachel Denton