Perales commences her role on June 14.
SARASOTA, Fla. – May 10, 2021 – The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC), the non-profit organization responsible for overseeing the redevelopment of 53-acres of City-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a public park, has appointed Jeannie Perales to its executive leadership team as its Chief Experience Officer.
“Now that we have received Phase 1 site approval, we are ready to bring The Bay Park to life — to create a park visitor experience unlike any other in our community’s newest park. An experience that is open and accessible, free and welcoming for all. Jeannie Perales’ talent, leadership, energy and heart aligns with our vision for the park and is ideal for this position,” said AG Lafley, Founding CEO of the Bay Park Conservancy.
Perales, a Sarasota native with a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Colorado at Denver as well as a K-6 teaching certificate, has served for the past ten years in the outstanding Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ senior management team. She has expertise in visitor-centric experiences, exhibits, education for all audiences, volunteer engagement, and site activation by creating comfort in natural settings.
“The mission of The Bay Park deeply resonates with me. I have the existing relationships to ensure broad use of this legacy community asset through diverse experiences and learning opportunities – through programming centered on the arts, education, fitness, wellness and the environment,” said Perales. “Developing site and operating strategies that deliver a positive, memorable experience is something that draws upon my professional experience and passion for protecting and celebrating life on the planet.”
“We are thrilled that the type of talent we needed to activate The Bay Park was not only already in Sarasota, but from Sarasota. We are certain that Jeannie Perales’ energetic leadership and outreach style will continue to fuel our citizens’ aspirations for The Bay Park,” added Cathy Layton, Chair of the Bay Park Conservancy.
The Bay Park Conservancy recently opened the Mangrove Bayou Walkway, and is currently constructing the Lawns, outdoor Reading Room, a new Kayak Launch, and permitting the Sunset Boardwalk.
For more information about The Bay Park Conservancy, visit www.bayparkconservancy.org or contact Nicole Zimmerman at nicole@largeinc.com or 201-394-4000.
About The Bay Park
The approved Bay Park master plan will conserve 53 acres of city-owned land and create an iconic public park along Sarasota Bay. The park will cost about $100-150 million and will take between 10-15 years, over 5 or more phases to complete. The Blue Pagoda serves as a welcoming center for visitors and an on-site office for The Bay Park Conservancy. For more information or general inquiries about this initiative, please visit www.thebaysarasota.org or call 941-203-5316.
About The Bay Park Conservancy
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 community park on Sarasota Bay. The BPC entered into a long-term partnership with the City and will fund, develop, operate and sustain the park for the benefit of the community, now, and for generations to come. For more information, visit www.bayparkconservancy.org.