Extra! Extra!
Hey Clearwater! ☀️
First, my apologies for today's newsletter arriving later than usual. Yesterday's City Council work session on The Landings started nearly three hours behind schedule, and I wanted to take the time to review the presentation, gather a few additional facts, and put together a story that asks some important questions before Thursday night's vote.
In today's edition, we're taking a closer look at 77 acres of public land and asking who the proposed sports complex is really being built for.
You'll also find information on free backpacks and school supplies available for local students this week, today's Clearwater Beach water temperature and live beach cam, pets that need your help getting home, free live music, line dancing, ways to stay active around Clearwater, and where to find trivia and music bingo.
As always, thanks for spending a few minutes with My Clearwater Scoop!
BTW…know a hidden gem, lost pet, or local event? Submit here →
Photo Courtesy of Adam Thomas
Today’s issue includes:
🌳 77 Acres of Public Land... Who Is This Really Being Built For? ⚽🚗💰
🎒 Free Backpacks & School Supplies Available This Week for Clearwater Students
🌊 Clearwater Beach Water Temperature - Plus a Live Look at the Crowds
🐾 Help us find Zena, Leah, Lobo, River, and Mama Kitty
🎸 Mello Vibes - FREE - Crabby’s Dockside - Tuesday
🤠 Wednesday Night Line Dancing - OCC Roadhouse Clearwater Free lessons
🎸 Josh Higgins - FREE - Crabby’s Dockside - Thursday
🎸 Moonshine Abby - FREE - OCC Roadhouse - Thursday
🌳🧘🥾🏓 Stay Active Clearwater
🎯 Trivia nights this week & Music Bingo
Community News
🌳 77 Acres of Public Land... Who Is This Really Being Built For? ⚽🚗💰
⚽ Honest Question: How Many Clearwater Residents Will Actually Use This?
On Thursday night, Clearwater City Council is expected to make one of the most important decisions involving public land in years.
The question isn't whether soccer is good.
The question is whether this is the highest and best use of 77 acres of public land owned by the people of Clearwater.
Take one look at the proposed site plan.
The overwhelming majority of the property is devoted to soccer fields and parking lots.
That raises a simple question.
Who is this really being built for?
Clearwater Already Has Soccer Facilities
According to the City of Clearwater's own Parks & Recreation website, residents already have multiple city sports complexes with soccer facilities.
Meanwhile, searching for golf returns just three public golf facilities, including The Landings, the very course this proposal would replace.
If The Landings disappears, Clearwater loses one of those golf facilities while adding another soccer-focused complex.
Is that really the greatest recreational need facing our city?
Clearwater's Population Isn't Getting Younger
According to U.S. Census data, Clearwater's median age is 48.1 years old, considerably older than both Florida and the Tampa Bay metropolitan area.
That doesn't mean adults don't play soccer; some might.
However, before replacing 77 acres of public land with a complex centered largely around soccer fields, shouldn't the city demonstrate that this reflects the recreation needs of the people who actually live here?
Clearwater Isn't the First City to Hear This Pitch
This isn't the first time Porter Development has promoted a large sports complex.
A similar proposal involving approximately 87 acres in Largo was ultimately rejected after residents opposed the project and it did not move forward.
Many of the promises sounded familiar:
Economic development
Tourism
New tax revenue
Youth sports
Community amenities
Clearwater residents deserve to know:
Why didn't that proposal move forward, and what makes this one different?
Nearly 2,000 Parking Spaces
The proposal includes approximately 1,944 parking spaces.
That's a remarkable amount of parking.
It suggests this project is designed to accommodate far more than neighborhood recreation.
It suggests tournaments.
Visitors.
Large regional events.
Again, there's nothing inherently wrong with that.
But residents deserve a clear answer to one question:
Is this project being designed primarily for the people who live in Clearwater... or for visitors coming from somewhere else?
Before Thursday's Vote...
Whether you support this proposal or oppose it, one thing should unite everyone.
Public land deserves public participation.
Read the proposal.
Look at the rendering.
Ask questions.
Then make your voice heard before Thursday night's City Council meeting.
📧 Email Clearwater City Council:
Three minutes is all it takes.
Whether you support the proposal, oppose it, or simply have questions, now is the time to let your elected officials hear from you.
Because once 77 acres of public land are transformed...
there's no going back.
🎒 Free Backpacks & School Supplies Available This Week for Clearwater Students
With the new school year just around the corner, the Clearwater Public Library System is helping local families by giving away free backpacks and school supplies for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade.
The giveaway runs August 3 through August 6 at the Main Library, Countryside Library, East Community Library, and North Greenwood Library during normal operating hours, while supplies last. Students can receive one backpack each if present, or families may receive up to two backpacks if children are not present. The program is made possible through the support of the Clearwater Library Foundation.
Whether your family could use a little extra help or you know someone who might, this is a wonderful community resource that can make a real difference as students head back to school.
🎒 If this doesn't apply to your family, please consider sharing it. You may know a parent, grandparent, neighbor, teacher, or friend who could benefit from this amazing program.
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Community News (Continued)
🌊 Clearwater Beach Water Temperature - Plus a Live Look at the Crowds
Photo Courtesy of Edgar Serrano
Before you load up the car, take a peek at the live beach cam to see exactly how busy it is out there. Sometimes the smartest move is knowing when to go and when to enjoy our little slice of paradise another day.
Check current water temperatures and conditions Here
Watch the live Clearwater Beach Cam Here
🐾 Lost & Found Pets
Our pets aren't just animals - they're family. If you've seen any of the pets below please email us at [email protected] and we will connect you directly with their families. One share could bring someone's baby home.
Zena
Zena has been missing for over 145 days from the Seville Condo area near Clearwater Costco. Her heartbroken family will not give up searching
Leah
Leah has been missing since April 28th from the King Arthur Court in Dunedin. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.
Lobo
Lobo has been missing since May 11th from Gladden Park in St. Petersburg. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.
River
River is a one-year-old male tabby (brown, white, and gray) who slipped out the front door on May 30th, and last seen near 134th Ave and Trotter Rd in Largo.
Mama Kitty
Mama Kitty is a 15 year old black cat with with a clipped left ear that went missing on June 4th, and last seen near Druid and Belcher in Clearwater.
Local Events
🎸 Mello Vibes Tuesday August 4th - FREE - 5:00 pm Crabby’s Dockside Clearwater, FL INFO→
🤠 Wednesday Night Line Dancing — OCC Roadhouse Clearwater Free lessons. 6:00pm to 7:30pm — All ages welcome DJ Brandon takes over at 7:30pm playing requests all night 10575 49th Street North, Clearwater INFO →
🎸 Josh Higgins Thursday August 6th - FREE - 5:00 pm Crabby’s Dockside Clearwater, FL INFO→
🎸 Moonshine Abby Thursday August 6th - FREE - 7:00 pm OCC Roadhouse Clearwater, FL INFO→
Stay Active Clearwater
🚶♀️ SilverSneakers: Zumba Gold Class Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 am - Aging Well Center @ The Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater, 33765, View Map LEARN MORE →
🧘 Yoga Tuesday and Thursday 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm - Aging Well Center @ The Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater, 33765, View Map FEES & LEARN MORE →
🧘 Golden Hour Yoga - FREE - Wednesday at 7:00 pm - Pier 60 Clearwater Beach View Map
🚶Indoor Walking at the Countryside Mall: Beat the heat and rain with some indoor walking, grab a bite to eat, browse the shops, or catch a movie…all while letting the mall’s A/C do the heavy lifting. MAP →
If you must be out in nature, please don’t forget to bring water
🌳🥾 Beat the Heat: Peaceful Nature Parks Looking to escape the crowds and cool off in the shade this weekend? Tampa Bay is loaded with hidden natural gems, all free to explore:
🦅 Moccasin Lake Nature Park (Clearwater) — A peaceful 51-acre preserve with shaded oak trails, boardwalks over the lake, and a wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary where you can see rescued eagles, hawks, and falcons.
⛵ Clearwater Community Sailing Center A nonprofit sailing center at 1001 Gulf Blvd offering boat rentals, sailing lessons for all ages, and Summer Camp. Open Tuesday through Sunday 9am to 5pm. LEARN MORE →
🏓 Pickleball Court Locations: Here is the easiest way to find Pickleball courts near you with an interactive map. LEARN MORE →
🎯 Trivia nights this week
🏖️ Near the Beach
Coco’s Crush Bar North Beach Wednesday 8:00 pm View Map
🏙️ Inland
OCC Road House & Museum Bandingo Trivia Monday 7:00 pm View Map
OCC Road House & Museum Bandingo Music Bingo Tuesday 7:00 pm View Map
Triple Crown Saloon Clearwater Music Bingo (Still Fun) Wednesday 7:00 pm View Map
Whiskey Wings Largo Monday & Wednesday 6:30 pm View Map
Two Buks Saloon Tuesday 7:00 pm View Map
Norton’s Southside Sports Bar Tuesday 8:00 pm View Map
⚠️ Trivia nights and schedules can change. We recommend confirming directly with the venue before heading out. Know of a change or a new spot? Tell Scout →
Thank you for Reading…
Thanks for reading My Clearwater Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone that you think would enjoy it.
Until next time,
Stan, Scoop and Scout
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