The month of September brought good news to Friends of Lake Panorama in support of its efforts to install new playground equipment at two beaches. While the LPA board of directors recently approved fundraising for a dog park, the Friends’ priority project remains wrapping up a $70,000 fundraising campaign for new playground equipment at Boulder and Shady beaches.
The first piece of good news is that at the beginning of September, another $12,000 was needed. Donations in September lowered that number to $9,000.
The second piece of good news is that the playground equipment for Shady Beach, which was ordered in late July, is scheduled to be delivered to Lake Panorama the first week of October. Installation is scheduled for the last week of October.
The Shady Beach playground will open as soon as all work is complete. The new equipment will include a multi-faceted play set, three swings, and a freestanding “spring rider” designed to accommodate a physically challenged child. The spring rider has space for two children.
Once the remaining $9,000 is raised, the Boulder Beach equipment will be ordered. The Friends board hopes to reach this goal before the end of this year, to avoid a price increase on the playground equipment that will go into effect January 1, 2021.
After fundraising for this project began in the fall of 2019, nearly $8,000 was donated by couples and individuals. The Friends board is asking those early donors to consider an additional donation for the 2020 tax year.
All donations are tax-deductible. Checks made payable to Friends of Lake Panorama can be mailed to PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Donors should include a note the funds are to be used for the playgrounds. Donors of $500 or more will be recognized on signs erected near both playgrounds and on the Friends website.