Throughout 2024, Friends of Lake Panorama will be celebrating its 10th anniversary. Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office November 1, 2013. The first meeting of the Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors was December 3, 2013.
On January 17, 2013, an application for 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation was submitted to the IRS. A letter from the IRS dated July 2, 2014, stated the Friends of Lake Panorama is exempt from federal income tax, and contributions to the public charity are deductible under federal law. The charity’s seven-member board of directors focuses on improving existing recreation, while developing new opportunities. Details on past and current projects are linked at the bottom of this page.
With the help of many donors and the Lake Panorama Association, Friends has had a busy 10 years. Sunset Beach playground opened in July 2016. Boulder Beach sports courts opened in June 2018. Many other successful projects followed:
Shady and Boulder beaches playground improvements
Panorama West rain garden
Dog park
Sunset Beach sports court
Panorama West Nature Trail
LPN Shade sails
20 new benches at beaches and golf courses
In August 2017, Friends received a $473,700 estate gift from Jim and Joyce McLuen to be used at the Panorama West Golf Club. That estate gift turned an already good golf course into something truly special.
The current priority project is a package of low-impact recreational amenities on Lake Panorama’s south shore. The Lake Panorama trails system, with a cross country trail for the Panorama Community Schools incorporated into it, is complete, and the nine-hole Lake Panorama Disc Golf Course is open.
A fenced driveway begins at 5501 Chimra Road and leads to a parking lot that allows walk-through access to the recreation area. A small shelter near the parking lot is in place; a picnic table will be added in the spring. Beyond the shelter are two markers, one points right to the first hole of the golf course, the other left to the trail system. Benches and bluebird houses will be placed throughout the recreational area in the spring. Learn more here.
Another current project is raising funds to plant 11 trees near the main west entrance to Lake Panorama, north of the former guard shack. These trees would be added to both sides of Panorama Road in that area, replacing ones that have been removed because of disease and storm damage. The fundraising goal for this project is $3,750. Learn more here.