Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

  • The Bay Turns One! is a five-day first anniversary celebration as it has been a year since Phase 1 of The Bay Park opened to more than 50,000 people in October 2022. More than 250,000 people have visited the park in its first year.

    The celebration runs from October 18-22, and includes more than 30 FREE events – something for everyone to enjoy – including family-fun activities, headlining musical acts by Journey former lead vocalist Steve Augeri and Sarasota’s own Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, food and cultural festivals, a community birthday party, Boo! at The Bay Halloween, dancing, explorations in nature and more!

    The celebration is intertwined with some of the best everyday programming at The Bay including guided kayak tours in partnership with Ride & Paddle, fitness classes provided by CoreSRQ, and free yoga taught by the area’s favorite yogis.

  • Please bring reusable water bottles to help keep The Bay green. Water stations are available throughout the park.

    Bring a lawn chair or blanket to ensure comfortable seating for only the following events:

    Seating will be available for the many other events and activities during the five-day celebration.

  • The Bay is a signature, public park along Sarasota Bay. Designed to be “one park for all,” The Bay is open and accessible, free and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of the community, now and for generations to come.

    The Bay preserves, restores and transforms 53 acres of precious city-owned land along Sarasota Bay 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 just underway. The completed park in total will cost an estimated $175-200 million and will take approximately 8-10 years to complete over 4 or more phases.

    The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC) was formed as a 501c3 not-for-profit organization in 2019 to implement the Master Plan approved by the Sarasota City Commission to conserve 53 acres of public land for a signature park along Sarasota Bay. The BPC entered a long-term partnership with the City to help fund, develop, operate, maintain and program the park for the benefit of the community now, and for generations to come.

    For more information about The Bay and The Bay Park Conservancy, visit www.thebaysarasota.org

  • After a decade, the community’s hopes and aspirations for a sustainable gathering place in the heart of downtown Sarasota became a reality. The first full 14 acres of the park (known as “Phase 1”), officially opened to the public in October 2022 to 50,000 visitors. Since then, thousands of park guests visit every month – appreciating the blue-and-green oasis known as “The Bay.”

    Click here to see the many park features to enjoy at The Bay every day.

  • The Bay address is 1055 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236. (Download park map here!)

    The park is located in downtown Sarasota along North Tamiami Trail (US 41) between 10th Street and Blvd of the Arts (6th Street).

    For the five-day anniversary celebration:

    • The primary vehicle entrance is located at the 10th Street Roundabout at 10th Street and N. Tamiami Trail.

    • The primary pedestrian entrance is located on the corner of Blvd of the Arts (6th Street) and N. Tamiami Trail.

    Take pressure off the parking lots and the environment by visiting The Bay in other ways:

    • Walk to the park.

    • Ride your bike. The City of Sarasota Multi-use Recreational Trail (MURT) is located on N. Tamiami Trail to the north and south of the park.

    • SCAT to The Bay. Nearby bus stops include:

      • #2671 (on Blvd of the Arts)

      • #2672 and #1284 (on N. Tamiami Trail, just north of the park).

    • Car Pool (parking spots are limited so please try to share a ride with family and friends)

    • Ride Share (e.g., Uber, Lyft).

    • Arrive on a Veo scooter or bike. Veo corrals are available along Blvd of the Arts and in front of the Blue Pagoda Welcome Center (655 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL 34236).

  • Parking is available in the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall parking lot as well as along the street in the nearby Rosemary District (east of North Tamiami Trail).

    Special arrangements for additional parking near The Bay are being finalized at this time. Please check back later (click here) for more information.

    Handicapped Parking is available in the Van Wezel parking lots and in the parking area in front of the Welcome Center at the Blue Pagoda (655 N. Tamiami Trail), and on the north side of Blvd of the Arts.

    Some events will be more crowded than others. Please come early, be kind and be patient.

  • If you’d like to volunteer, please visit this link to sign up for one or more of the opportunities still available.

    • Your safety and the safety of others is important.

    • Keep pets leashed and by your side at all times.

    • Be kind, say hello, and ride slowly as you bike throughout the park. Please walk your bike over the Bayou Bridge.

    • Enjoy the playground, but please do not climb on top of the birds (Sara and Zota).

    • Be considerate of others. Do not engage in activities (e.g., skateboarding) that create an unreasonable risk of harm or danger to other park guests; that are inconsistent with the intended use of the park; that unreasonably interfere with the use of the park by others; or that are likely to damage personal or park property.

    • Please report any risky or unsafe behavior to the Sarasota Non-Emergency Police 24 hours a day (941) 316-1199.‬

    • The Bay is open daily, 5am – 11pm.

    • All spaces and places in the park that are open to the public are available on a first-come, first-served basis during park hours. The Bay does not accept public reservations within the park.

    • Please clean up during and at the end of your visit. Please place all litter and recycled items in appropriate receptacles located throughout the park.

    • All pets must be non-aggressive and on a leash at all times. Owners are expected to pick up after their pets. There are doggie waste stations located throughout the park.

    • Park Guests at The Bay are subject to the rules and regulations of the City of Sarasota Parks and Recreation which prohibit:

      • Smoking of any type.

      • Alcoholic beverages brought on the premises from outside of the park.

      • Skateboarding.

      • Open flames or grills.

      • Staking into the ground.

      • Signage of any kind other than those designed by and/or approved for use by The Bay Park Conservancy.

      • Commercial activity or selling goods except by The Bay Park Conservancy permit.