The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC), the non-profit organization responsible for designing, developing, managing and operating 53 acres of City-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a signature public park, has elected new Executive Committee Officers. Jennifer Compton, Managing Partner and Vice Chair of Shumaker, has been elected Chair of the Bay Park (The Bay) Conservancy (BPC) Board of Directors. Jennifer is one of the founding members of the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization (SBPO) and subsequently served as Secretary for the BPC. She is recognized for using her legal and leadership acumen to create a first-of-its-kind private/public partnership agreement between The Bay and City of Sarasota. This partnership was instrumental in supporting The Bay Park Conservancy’s initiatives to develop the precious city-owned land along Sarasota Bay into community park. Cathy Layton, previously BPC Board Chair from December 2016 through December 2022, has been elected Chair Emeritus. During her tenure as Chair, Cathy oversaw what was initially only a vision of what “could be” transformed into the reality of a world-class park - with the October 2022 opening of The Bay Phase 1 to an estimated 50,000 people. Emily Walsh, President of the Observer Media Group, has been elected Secretary of the BPC Board. Walsh joined the Board in 2019. Rob Lane, Managing Shareholder of Kerkering Barberio, continues to serve as Treasurer of the BPC Board. The Bay transforms 53 acres of the city’s precious bayfront into a world-class destination offering an open and accessible, free and welcoming gathering place for everyone to experience and enjoy. The BPC is at an important juncture as it balances operating, maintaining and programming the first 14 acres of The Bay park (Phase 1) with excellence, while also designing and building the next 14 acres of park (Phase 2) that continues to delight park guests from around the region. The completed park will cost about $150-200 million and will take between 7-10 years, over 3 or more phases. Phase 2 development of the park is expected to begin as early as Spring 2023. For more information about The Bay Park Conservancy, visit www.thebaysarasota.org or contact Julia Groom at julia@dreamlarge.org or 941-786-8732.