Phase 1: January 16 Update

Lots of progress is happening on Phase 1 of the park. Here are some highlights:

Next to the Blue Pagoda, enhancements are being made to the walkway connecting the Historic District parking lot and Mangrove Walkway. The path will feature beautiful landscaping and new lighting, creating inviting and safe access to various areas of the park.

Next week, cranes will be relocating three live oak trees from the former G.WIZ/Selby Library parking lot. The trees will be moved from the small parking lot islands they have been growing in, to larger landscape areas adjacent to the Mangrove Walkway. Once in their new home, these trees will provide instant and much-appreciated shade by anyone using the the walkway. In addition, several buttonwood trees along the shoreline will be moved closer to the Mangrove Walkway.

Watch the video below for more details.

Parking Lot & Street Closures

• To enable the tree relocation, as well as the anticipated work on Phase 1, the G.WIZ/Selby Library parking lot will be permanently closed as of January 18. There is plenty of parking available for park-goers at the Historic District or Van Wezel lots.
• Now through January 25, the south end of Van Wezel Way will be temporarily closed to replace underground, undersized stormwater pipes in that location.
• The City of Sarasota is replacing the waterline along Blvd. of the Arts and traffic patterns on this street may change.

We encourage visitors to access The Bay via 10th Street and then park along Van Wezel Way, in the Van Wezel parking lot or the Historic District parking lot. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out via Ask The Bay.