When The Bay opened three years ago, it was envisioned as more than a park -- a place shaped by thousands of voices through community outreach, discussions, and surveys. The Bay was intentionally designed as a gathering place, a shared space where Sarasota’s full and rich diversity could come together. Today, with nearly one million visits in just three years, The Bay has become exactly that: “One Park for All,” and a meaningful “third place” in so many everyday ways.

The term “third place,” coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, describes the social spaces beyond home (the first place) and work (the second place). These are the informal, welcoming environments -- cafés, libraries, community centers, and parks -- where people connect, ideas are exchanged, and belonging takes root. For Sarasotans, The Bay has become that essential third place for the community.

Everyday Moments, Infinite Ways

The Bay is not defined by a single experience. It is a place where countless personal stories unfold every day:

• Babies in strollers, toddlers on scooters, grandparents with walkers -- all rolling, strolling, and smiling their way into the park’s daily rhythm.
• Children discovering new friends while marveling at Sara and Zota, the larger-than-life ibises in the playground.
• A quinceañera photo shoot capturing a milestone moment in a young woman’s life.
• Strangers who meet at a fitness class and leave as brunch companions.
• A young couple marking their engagement with a proposal to share their future partnership intentions.
• Families gathering along the living resilient shoreline at dusk to honor the memory of a loved one.
• Fathers and sons chasing a soccer ball across the Common Ground.
• Winding down from the day by savoring a glass of wine on the Sunset Deck as the sun sets over Sarasota Bay.

Each of these moments is unique, yet together they tell a larger story: The Bay is becoming everyone’s third place, shaped by the people who bring it to life.

A Place of Resilience and Renewal

The Bay has also proven to be a vital third place in challenging times. After storms swept through the region last year, The Bay was the only city park open -- offering respite, continuity, and a reminder of Sarasota Strong. Just days later, thousands gathered again for concerts, family events, and festivals on the lawns… while several non-profit relief and recovery organizations pivoted to offer services to park guests -- proof that this park is not only a place of joy, but also of resilience.

A Community Celebration

This fall, The Bay marks its third anniversary with “Three Years and Thriving at The Bay” -- a 33-day celebration featuring 88 FREE events. From concerts and cultural performances to family activities and fitness classes, the anniversary is both a reflection of what the park has become and an invitation to imagine what’s ahead.

The numbers tell part of the story:

• Nearly 1,000,000 visits in just three years.
• More than 2,200 Friends support the park which catalyzes essential backing from government and foundation partners.
• 97% of visitors say they plan to return.
• 92% rate their experience as excellent or very good.

But the true measure of success is less about numbers and more about meaning. The Bay has become a place where the full and rich diversity of the greater Sarasota community is not just welcomed but celebrated every day – a place where every guest finds their own way to belong.

An Invitation to All

If you’ve yet to experience The Bay, there’s no better time. Come for a morning walk in this blue-and-green oasis near the heart of downtown Sarasota -- through the tree-shaded Mangrove Bayou Walkway, within the Botanical Gardens, or along the newly opened, tree-lined Promenade in front of the park. Stay for a free concert, a mindful yoga class, a. movie under the stars, or a family-fun festival. Watch the sunset from any spot within the 10 acres of green space, or enjoy brunch at The Nest Café. However you choose to experience it, The Bay is here for you -- one park for all, and a third place for everyone.