The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC) will celebrate the start of construction on the Mangrove Bayou Walkway with a public groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, January 31. The Mangrove Bayou Walkway, one of the many environmental preservation, enhancement, and sustainability projects in The Bay Park, is the next step in the journey of bringing Phase 1 of the park to life. The new walkway, which will be completed this summer, will loop around the mangroves and coastal wetlands located adjacent to the Great Lawn, north of Boulevard of the Arts. This multi-million-dollar project involves removing exotic vegetation, enhancing native vegetation, and installing 10-foot rubberized pathways around the perimeter of the mangrove bayou. 

Initial funding was catalyzed through the generosity of Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, with a goal and vision to restore the mangrove bayou, and an endowment fund to ensure its care in perpetuity. Additional support comes from donors and the City of Sarasota. Further development of Phase 1 will continue following Sarasota City Commission approval of the Phase 1 Site Plan. For more information, visit bayparkconservancy.org.