TEAM Punta Gorda’s focus these days is decidedly green. Our newest venture is to support a group of hardy volunteers from the Historic Punta Gorda Civic Association who have been replacing the trees damaged by Ian in the linear parks. This is often how projects come to us. A group of citizens working on getting something done needs organizational support to manage the administrative aspects of the project.

Read more

The Punta Gorda Comprehensive Urban Plan was recently honored with the 2024 Outstanding Plan Award by the Florida Planning and Zoning Association during its annual conference. TEAM's involvement, Journey to the Future, engaged citizens in the planning process. (Pictured: city staff including Urban Design Manager Mitchell Austin, Mayor Lynne Matthews (center), Kim Koch from TEAM Punta Gorda l.), and Kessie Estil (r.) from Dover, Kohl, and Partners accepted the award on the city’s behalf).

Read more

The City of Punta Gorda was creatively represented at the 2024 All American City finals by participants from city staff, TEAM Punta Gorda, the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, police and other public service staff and participants from local nonprofit and business enterprises. Punta Gorda was one of only 20 cities nationwide selected as finalists. All agreed it was a great accomplishment with much learned in the process.

The destruction caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022 included the landscaping and gardens surrounding the Vietnam Wall. Retired Major General Dick Carr, President of the Veterans Wall of Southwest Florida, asked Betsy Spagnolo, a Veterans Park volunteer and Board President of TEAM Punta Gorda, to spearhead volunteer efforts to bring the gardens back to their beautifully manicured condition.

Learn more

TEAM has been awarded a MAC (Marine Advisory Council) grant in the amount of $26,000 to further testing of water quality in Punta Gorda canals. This critical ongoing project is known as the Citizens Partnership for Clean Canals (CPCC). It is an alliance of Heal Our Harbor, Charlotte County, City of Punta Gorda organizations, the University of Miami and TEAM.

Learn more

We are aggressively looking for a few good people to join our TEAM this season: program chairs for the Bicycle Loaner, Community Gardens and Annual Community Meeting, and a Chief Operating Officer. Also, TEAM is actively recruiting a part-time bookkeeper for the office. Contact TEAM@teampuntagorda.org for the specifics on each opportunity.

TEAM Talk readership has increased exponentially since we last shared Punta Gorda Mayor Lynne Matthews' 20+ years of curated hurricane preparedness tips. Lest we forget to stay vigilant here is the latest edition.

Lynne Matthews' Suggestions

It's the Green Pumpkin! Registration is now open for the scenic, on-road organized bicycle ride fundraiser sponsored by People for Trees. 15/35/65 mile rides. The event date is October 20, 2024.

Register Here