When I first came across Clearwater's Adopt-A-Drain program, my first thought was:

"That's actually a pretty good idea."

The concept is simple.

The City is asking residents to help keep storm drains clear of leaves, litter and other debris that can contribute to localized flooding during Florida's heavy summer rains.

After what many Clearwater neighborhoods experienced during the hurricanes of 2024, it's easy to understand why.

Clearwater has identified approximately 5,500 storm drains that could be adopted.

So far?

Only about 40 have volunteers.

If you've ever seen a storm drain clogged with palm fronds, leaves, plastic bottles or other debris after one of our afternoon downpours, you know it doesn't take much to slow the flow of water.

Keeping those drains clear may seem like a small thing.

But thousands of small things can add up.

Then I found myself wondering about something much bigger.

One project immediately came to mind.

The Landings and the Proposed Project

If Clearwater is encouraging residents to help reduce localized flooding one storm drain at a time...

...it made me wonder how we think about stormwater on a much bigger scale.

The current proposal for The Landings would redevelop approximately 70 acres of public land and includes plans for:

When I looked at those numbers together for the first time, I honestly stopped for a second.

One detail immediately caught my attention.

Out of 13 soccer fields, only one would remain natural grass.

The other 12 would be synthetic turf.

Now, I'm not a civil engineer.

I'm not a hydrologist.

And I'm certainly not pretending to know the answers.

But I do think these are reasonable questions.

How will nearly 2,000 parking spaces and 12 synthetic turf fields affect stormwater runoff?

What stormwater systems are planned to manage that runoff?

Have engineering studies already answered those questions?

If they have, I'd genuinely like to read them.

Because this isn't really about being for or against The Landings.

It's about understanding the complete picture.

On one hand, Clearwater is asking residents to help improve drainage by keeping neighborhood storm drains clear.

On the other, the City is considering one of the largest redevelopment projects in its history, one that would significantly change how approximately 70 acres of public land are used.

To me, those seem like conversations that naturally belong together.

One doesn't replace the other.

Both matter.

In the meantime, if you're looking for one simple way to help your neighborhood today, Clearwater's Adopt-A-Drain program is an easy place to start.

💧 Already adopted a drain?

I'd love to hear from you.

Send me a photo, tell me what neighborhood you're helping keep clear, and I may feature you in an upcoming edition of My Clearwater Scoop.

And one final thought...

If you've seen engineering studies, stormwater reports or other public documents that answer these questions, please send them my way. If they provide answers, I'll gladly share what I learn with everyone.

After all, that's how better conversations and better decisions happen.

Source: Tampa Bay 28

Ever wondered why Clearwater Beach has some of the whitest, softest sand in the country?

Believe it or not, it didn't start here.

The sparkling white quartz sand originally came from the Appalachian Mountains. Over millions of years, rivers carried tiny quartz crystals south, where they eventually made their way to the Gulf Coast. Waves and currents then deposited them along what would become Clearwater Beach.

One of the coolest parts?

Quartz doesn't absorb heat the same way darker minerals do, which is why Clearwater's famous sugar-white sand often stays surprisingly cool under your feet, even on a hot Florida afternoon.

Next time you're walking the beach, you're literally standing on grains of ancient Appalachian Mountains.

Source: Visit St. Pete-Clearwater

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

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 has been missing for over 130 days from the Seville Condo area near Clearwater Costco. Her heartbroken family will not give up searching

LEARN MORE →

Leah has been missing since April 28th from the King Arthur Court in Dunedin. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.

LEARN MORE →

Lobo has been missing since May 11th from Gladden Park in St. Petersburg. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.

LEARN MORE →

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.

LEARN MORE →

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.

LEARN MORE →

🎸 The Fixx Tonight. Monday July 20th - Doors open at 7:00 pm Bilheimer Capital Theater Clearwater, FL. Tickets Still AVAILABLE. I GOT MINE 😃. TICKETS & INFO→

🌳📅 Save The Landings: Speak Up. Show Up. - Tuesday, July 21st at 5:30pm - 7:00 pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church 2001 Rainbow Drive, Clearwater FL MAP →

Join this neighborhood-sponsored community event to learn more about the future of The Landings and make your voice heard.

Representatives from Porter Development will be there to listen to community concerns and provide an update on possible next steps. Attendees who wish to speak will have approximately two to three minutes to share their thoughts.

Questions expected to be discussed include: Will residents get a vote? What happens next? And how can the Clearwater community stay involved?

This event is open to everyone and is intended to help educate Clearwater residents about the issue.

📍 Trinity Presbyterian Church
⏱️ Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
🌎 Open to the public

Speak up. Show up. Let the people decide. INFO →

Hosted by Keep Keene Green.

🎸 Mello Vibes Tuesday July 21st - 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 July 23rd - FREE - 5:00 pm Crabby’s Dockside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Niceae Thursday July 16th - FREE - 7:00 pm OCC Roadhouse Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 The Black Keys Tuesday July 28th - 8:00 pm The BayCare Sound Clearwater, FL TICKETS & INFO→

READ MORE →

🧘 Free Sunset Yoga Monday at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm - FREE admission - Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, 33764, Meet on The Green LEARN MORE →

🚶‍♀️ 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 →

🏖️ Near the Beach

🏙️ Inland

⚠️ 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 →

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