High Point Neighborhood Family Center Gets a Greener Upgrade with Irrigation Donation
At Keep Pinellas Beautiful (KPB), we’re proud to partner with local organizations like Sunrise Irrigation & Sprinklers to bring greener, more sustainable spaces to life. Thanks to generous grant funding from Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Community Foundation Tampa Bay, and CITGO, KPB launched a project in June 2023 to revitalize the exterior at the High Point Neighborhood Family Center (High Point NFC) in unincorporated Pinellas County. The project is intended to create vibrant, educational gardens that would serve both as a community asset and a model for environmental learning.
When Sunrise Irrigation & Sprinklers learned about KPB’s beautification efforts, they knew it was a project that they wanted to support! Both Sunrise Irrigation and KPB believe in the power of community and education. We’re excited to see how this partnership with Sunrise Irrigation serves the community for many years to come.
High Point’s Community Beautification Project
For several years, we’ve worked with many volunteers, youth, and businesses to get the High Point NFC the support it deserves. Here’s how the project has transformed so far:
Phase I: Adding a New Garden to the High Point NFC Entrance
The first phase of the project began in June 2023 with the installation of a garden in front of the High Point NFC entrance. Originally, the lack of landscaping played down the importance of the High Point NFC. The center is a bustling resource that stands as a hub of the community! If any High Point neighborhood exterior deserved a landscaping transformation, it was certainly the Family Center.
In Phase I of the project, the entrance garden came to life with native plants. These plants are adapted to Tampa Bay’s ecosystem, conserve water, and don’t require harmful fertilizers or pesticides. The plants also support local wildlife and pollinators. Fun fact: Did you know that Florida is home to over 300 species of bees?
Adult volunteers and teens from High Point NFC’s after-school program put in a lot of hard work to plant native plants and tend to their upkeep. It’s an excellent opportunity for students and adults alike as they learn about the importance of environmental care. They pitch in with mulching, weeding, and general upkeep, so the garden always looks great. During Phase I, the garden grew into an educational endeavor as well as a beautification project for the entire community to enjoy.
Phase II: Adding More Vegetation and Recognizing the Need for Irrigation
As the project progressed into Phase II in June 2024, KPB continued to expand the garden along the fence line. Volunteers planted native plants like the Winged Elm tree, Button Sage, and Beautyberry. The garden was bursting with beautiful plants, but those plants needed water to thrive. Without proper irrigation, all the hard work KPB had put into planting might go to waste.
This is when Sunrise Irrigation & Sprinklers stepped in and donated their time and materials to install an irrigation system. Over two days, they installed a new pump, reworked the valve box, and laid irrigation lines along the fence and inside the garden bed.
Sunrise Irrigation Installing an Irrigation System at High Point NFC
Phase III: Reviving the Garden After Drought and Educating Further
Phase III of the High Point NFC beautification project began in December 2024. Drought conditions during the summer of 2023 resulted in the loss of many of the native plants, and this was the opportunity to revive and replenish. New educational signage was installed to teach the community about the native plants flourishing outside the building.
Today, visitors can find QR codes located on signs at many of the garden plants. Simply open your smartphone’s camera app and click on the link to learn about your plant of choice!
Future Work and Partnership
In spring of 2025, volunteers will return to help with mulching—provided for free by Pinellas County Solid Waste—and continue to weed and maintain the garden. And through it all, Sunrise Irrigation’s sprinkler system will continue to keep the plants hydrated. Our teamwork allows this garden to remain a source of pride and education for the High Point neighborhood.
For Sunrise Irrigation & Sprinklers, this donation goes beyond installing pipes and sprinklers. With a passion for community and education, our goal is to make a lasting impact. Sunrise Irrigation & Sprinklers has been a proud sponsor of KPB’s community improvement projects for years. They’re also recipients of KPB’s 2024 Outstanding Commercial Business Partner Award. This partnership is a perfect example of how businesses can give back to the places that matter most.
How You Can Help Support Future Efforts
The High Point NFC beautification project is far from over. As the garden grows, so does the need for community involvement. Here are some ways you can help:
Volunteer with Keep Pinellas Beautiful
Participate in maintenance days
Donate to support future phases of the project
By working together, we can ensure that High Point NFC continues to be a vibrant, welcoming place for families in Clearwater.
Working With Sunrise Irrigation & Sprinklers
Our friends at Sunrise Irrigation & Sprinklers are committed to making our communities greener, stronger, and more sustainable. From installing state-of-the-art irrigation systems to supporting local beautification projects, they strive to make a positive impact in everything we do.
From irrigation systems to drainage services and new sod installation, Sunrise Irrigation & Sprinklers offers innovative solutions to keep your outdoor space healthy and beautiful. Together, we can help create more thriving, green spaces—one garden at a time.