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.

One current 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 with a picnic table is near the parking lot. Beyond the shelter are two markers, one points right to the first hole of the golf course, the other left to the trail system. In mid-March, 16 bluebird houses were placed throughout the recreational area. Five benches will be installed soon, with two along the shoreline trail, two along the meadow trail, and one on the fifth hole of the disc golf course. Three large informational signs are on order, and will be placed near the parking lot, the first hole of the disc golf course, and the beginning of the trail system. Learn more here.