NBP Volunteer Appreciation Party
On any given weekend at Nathan Benderson Park, the spectacle is easy to see: shells slicing through the regatta course, athletes gathering at the finish, families tracing the shoreline, and visitors d
By Edit Sarasota Staff
On any given weekend at Nathan Benderson Park, the spectacle is easy to see: shells slicing through the regatta course, athletes gathering at the finish, families tracing the shoreline, and visitors discovering one of Sarasota’s most ambitious public spaces. Less visible—but essential to nearly everything that happens there—are the volunteers who help turn a remarkable piece of infrastructure into a living community destination.
The NBP Volunteer Appreciation Party offers the park an opportunity to bring those contributors into the foreground. Held each year, the invitation-only gathering recognizes exceptional volunteer service and the steady commitment that supports Nathan Benderson Park’s events, programs, and day-to-day welcome. It is a celebration not simply of hours logged, but of the local goodwill that makes large-scale recreation and competition feel personal.
Since opening as a regional destination for rowing and paddlesports, Nathan Benderson Park has grown into a defining part of Sarasota’s outdoor and cultural landscape. Its 2,000-meter sprint course has hosted major rowing competitions and international events, while its trails, water, and open spaces draw residents for exercise, leisure, and a change of scenery. That range of uses requires a substantial network of people willing to assist, guide, organize, and show up. Volunteers are part of the park’s public face, helping create the sense of order and hospitality that visitors often remember long after an event ends.
The evening’s setting, Gold Coast Eagle, adds another Sarasota connection. The local beverage distributor has long been associated with community gatherings and civic support, making its facility a fitting place to raise a glass to the people behind the park’s success. The party is reserved for invited volunteers, whose service will be recognized in an atmosphere focused on appreciation and fellowship rather than competition.
The NBP Volunteer Appreciation Party takes place Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Gold Coast Eagle, 7051 Wireless Court in Sarasota. Attendance is by invitation only, and invited guests should RSVP by September 14. Questions and RSVP requests may be directed to Renee Chacon, Nathan Benderson Park’s Volunteer Coordinator, whose work helps connect the park with the people who keep its calendar—and its welcome—moving.