Friends of Lake Panorama’s has been impacting the Lake Panorama community for more than two decades. 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, 2014, an application for 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation was submitted to the IRS. A letter from the IRS dated July 2, 2014, stated contributions to Friends of Lake Panorama 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 top of this page.
With the help of many donors and the Lake Panorama Association, Friends had a busy first decade. 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
South Shore Recreation Area, with disc golf, trail system, boat dock, picnic shelter
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 gift showed the amazing impact planned giving can have at Lake Panorama.
Fundraising over the last two years resulted in $60,000 to fund a hard-surface walking path at Boulder Beach. This concrete path is 6-feet wide and 5-inches thick. The loop path will begin and end near the parking lot, and be one-third-mile long. Construction is underway on the path.
One ongoing priority project is fundraising for Lake Panorama National golf course improvements. 2027 will be the fourth year raising funds to enhance and maintain this community amenity. In October 2026, donor funds were used to renovate five tee boxes. Future projects will include additional tee box improvements, tee signs and sand bunkers, and will be done as financial support is available. Learn more here.
One new priority project is restoring the Lake Panorama Lighthouse. The lighthouse was installed on the marina jetty in 2009. Now more than 17 years later, the bottom two sections need to be replaced and the top section repaired. Organizers hope to raise $19,000 by the end of January 2027 so the lighthouse can be back in place for the 2027 boating season.
Another new priority project is expansion of the Boulder Beach sports courts to include two new pickleball courts. These will be added adjacent to the existing courts. The fundraising goal for this project is $85,000.
Donations also can be directed to the Friends of Lake Panorama General Fund.