Nora Patterson Bay Island Park dedication set for Sept. 18

The community is invited to a dedication ceremony for the renaming of Bay Island Park to Nora Patterson Bay Island Park in honor of former Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson.

The dedication celebrates the renaming of the park, along with the completion of improvements at the park, which included the construction of a new sea wall and installation of new benches, fishing rails, signage and other improvements.

"We're honored to rename this beautiful facility after Nora Patterson, a retired beloved commissioner and excellent steward of public lands," said Carolyn Brown, director of Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources. "We're also happy to unveil this newly improved park to the community, who are certain to enjoy this little piece of waterfront paradise."

Nora Patterson Bay Island Park is regularly used for recreational fishing, as a temporary landing spot for recreational boaters and an ideal place to take in great views of beautiful Sarasota Bay.

Nora Patterson served as a Sarasota County Commissioner for 16 years as the commissioner for District 4. Long an advocate for public water access, Patterson said she was honored to have the park named after her. The current Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to rename the park after her in May.

"One of the most important things is to maintain public access to the waterfront, so to have a park like this carry my name is just fantastic," Patterson added.

The dedication celebration is scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. Nora Patterson Bay Island Park is located at 946 Siesta Drive.

For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000.