Buffalo, New York, conservancy leader to take leadership of The Bay project

Sarasota’s Bay Park Conservancy is getting a new chief executive – Stephanie Crockatt – who will succeed the volunteer lead for the past four years, AG Lafley.

Crockatt is the executive director of Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the nonprofit that manages an 850-acre park system in Buffalo, New York.

As The Bay Park Conservancy’s president and chief executive officer, Crockatt will assume overall responsibility for the building of The Bay, a 53-acre park on Sarasota’s bayfront, according to a news release. The first phase of the project has already been built, but the second and third phases have not.

Design work for the second phase will begin in May, according to Bill Waddill, the conservancy’s CEO.

The Sarasota City Commission approved proposed land-use changes to The Bay property last Monday, and the conservancy addressed concerns that boaters and other community members had about its plans.

Crockatt will succeed Lafley, who holds a different title – founding CEO, which has been a volunteer position.

Previously:Sarasota and Bay Park leaders respond to boaters' concerns about the park

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A Bay Park Conservancy news release notes that Lafley plans to stay fully engaged to ensure a smooth transition and maintain the project’s momentum.

“At The Bay, we know the importance of being sustainable in every way – environmentally, financially, and operationally,” Lafley said in the release. “Stephanie is the right person in the right place at the right time. She has the combination of experiences and skills BPC needs to complete the build-out of the park and the build-up of the park conservancy.”

Crockatt has worked for the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy for nearly nine years, according to her LinkedIn. The conservancy manages six parks designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, their connecting parkways and circles, and several smaller spaces, according to the conservancy’s website.

As executive director, she secured substantial park maintenance funding from the city of Buffalo through a public-private partnership, built reliable annual fundraising from private sources and fulfilled over 50 capital restoration projects, among other accomplishments, according to the press release.

More:Bay Park Conservancy awarded $150,000 grant by Gulf Coast Community Foundation

"I am filled with great enthusiasm and excitement to join The Bay Park Conservancy and be given the honor and privilege to serve as its first President and CEO,” Crockatt stated. "Conservancies are such important public-private partners, and I know this nonprofit will become one of the leading examples of park innovation, community engagement, and mission-driven success. Coming to Sarasota in this capacity feels amazing and I am looking forward to being part of this beautiful city and its robust culture."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota's Bay Park Conservancy gets a new top leader