Bayfront Park playground, splash pad to reopen Feb. 1

Following a three-month delay, Sarasota’s new and improved Bayfront Park playground and splash pad is set to open Thursday, Feb. 1, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. 

The new play area features a pirate and sea adventure theme, complete with climbing structures, new shaded seating areas for adults and a replacement of the often-closed, nearly three-decade-old splash pad. The city had previously announced plans to open the park and splash pad in October 2023.

The $3.22 million project was approved by the City Commission in September 2022. The splash pad was plagued with maintenance issues for several years. The project included a complete replacement of the water and drainage infrastructure beneath it.

The entire playground and splash pad area is ADA compatible, and children will have control of the flow of water in the fountain area rather than the continuously running water of the prior splash pad.

Originally estimated at $4 million by contractor Jon F. Swift Construction, the project was scaled down to $2.9 million in July 2022, which meant the removal of the planned shade structure. Commissioners requested City Manager Marlon Brown find an additional $300,000 in order to include the shade, bringing the total to just more than $3.2 million.

The bulk of the project is paid for by American Rescue Plan Act funds for non-recurring projects within the city.