After Hurricane Charley, John Benande looked around at the devastation and approached. Punta Gorda City staff with the idea that TEAM Punta Gorda would partner with the City. TEAM would raise money for beautification material needed and requested by City staff. It was also agreed that TEAM volunteers would provide labor for beautification projects. A  Fund Raising Program was initiated.  Sponsors purchased 12x12-inch engraved pavers. The donor pavers were placed at Herald Court and Hector House Plaza sidewalks. Funds raised were used to purchase beautification materials for the streetscape at Marion Avenue.

A new ongoing paver fundraiser was initiated in 2008. Money raised has enabled the city of Punta Gorda to purchase additional beautification materials that would otherwise not be purchased due to current budget restraints. For additional information please go to the Paver Project.

The partnership has been very successful over the years. If you enjoy helping beautify our community, this is the committee for you. Please join us!

Using funds from the TEAM paver program TEAM has completed a number of beautification projects.

The TEAM beautification committee completed the refurbishing of the front gardens at the Punta Gorda Train Depot. Upon completion of the clean up Bulbine plants with small yellow or orange flowers were planted as they are drought resistant and can take the summer heat in Florida. Flax Lillie's were placed around the Depot sign. The Train Depot, built in 1928, was deeded to the Historical Society by the Babcock family and now houses a museum and an antique mall. It is one of Punta Gorda's historic treasures.

Volunteers from TEAM Punta Gorda and the Crossroads Wilderness Institute have completed upgrading the planting along Marion Avenue in downtown Punta Gorda. The goal is to plant “Florida-friendly” species such as Buttonwoods, Coonties, Flax Lillies and Ice Plants, all native species.  Many of the plants which were previously on Marion Avenue have been relocated to other Punta Gorda parks. “We felt it was important to have Florida-friendly species along a major thoroughfare in our community,” said Suzanne McCormick, TEAM Punta Gorda Beautification Chairperson. City of Punta Gorda Chief Planner Joan LeBeau, responsible for coordinating the completion of the work, said “through Team’s efforts and hands-on approach, they partner with the City in completing many projects for all residents and visitors to enjoy.

Suzanne McCormick, TEAM Beautification Chair and Charlotte County Facilities Construction & Maintenance Director David Milligan oversee the planting of six Royal Palm trees at Charlotte County Event and Conference Center. This was a joint project between TEAM and the County.  TEAM purchased and installed the trees as well as arranged for the staking of the palms. The county will provide the irrigation.

2010 was a busy year. The city asked for TEAM’s assistance in refurbishing Herald Court Plaza and Herald Court Park. The construction of the parking garage and the restoration of the old courthouse had taken a toll on the existing plants and trees. Donation paver funds were used to purchase 6 replacement Fox Tail palms as well as shrubs, plants and 3 large decorative pots. TEAM volunteers supplied the labor. This lovely city pocket park has been transformed to its original state to be enjoyed by all.

New entrance signs were rected on US 41. The city asked TEAM to supply some planting to soften the signs. TEAM purchased 86 flax lilies that were planting by the hardworking beautification committee.

TEAM's Beautification Committee is working with various community groups to assist with the "Adopt-A-Lot" program.  Organizations sign on to care for gardens throughout the city.  Shown in the photo are Suzanne McCormick, chair of TEAM's Beautification Committee and Heleen Schouten of Twin Isles Country Club, the organization that has "adopted" the park across the street from the Herald Court Centre.  

Other organizations which have adopted areas to care for include the Mariners of PGI who have adopted the Welcome Beach at Gilchrist Park (shown in the photo during a clean-up) and the Beautification Committee of TEAM Punta Gorda who have adopted the Cafe Ruelle walkway and Marion Street downtown.

The money raised from the sale of the commemorative pavers allowed TEAM Punta Gorda to add shade trees to the area around the Interactive Fountain in Laishley Park. “We are very excited about our partnership with TEAM Punta Gorda on projects of this kind,” commented Dennis Murphy, City Director of Growth Management.  Dennis added, “the truth is, in the current economy, we simply could not afford to proceed with beautification projects of this type without TEAM’s assistance.”

The Citizens’ Master Plan 2005 envisioned a park across from the old Courthouse. TEAM partnered with the City Staff who designed a parking area and plaza. This area was planted in April 2007 and paved in June 2008 by TEAM volunteers The final paver was laid on June 3, 2008. Fifteen volunteers laid 4 ½ pallets in 95 minutes! Punta Gorda is now blessed with a beautiful park commemorating Hector House where the original city charter was signed.

City Staff asked TEAM to partner with them on the installation of the 15-to-18-foot-wide, brick-paver walkway. TEAM volunteers installed approximately two-thirds of the bricks in two mornings assisted by efforts from several other civic groups.

TEAM Punta Gorda purchased the beautification material for the West Marion Avenue streetscape including the shrubs, trees, sod and the irrigation system. After the City completed the site preparation, TEAM had their “planting party” on December 16 with approximately 50 volunteers in attendance.