The Friends board conducted a survey in April 2025 to gather ideas for new and improved recreational amenities. More options for walking paths at Lake Panorama was a frequent request from those completing the survey.

Brainstorming and research led to a new project of hard-surface walking paths at Sunset Beach and Boulder Beach. The LPA board approved this concept to create safer walking options at Lake Panorama by getting walkers off LPA’s narrow, winding roads.

A total of $20,000 from the 2025 Beach Ball originally was split between walking paths at Boulder and Sunset beaches. This spring, with agreement from the LPA, the Friends board voted to focus fundraising on a single path at Boulder Beach. Once this project is complete, the possibility of a similar path at Sunset Beach will be explored.

With money from two Beach Balls, plus private donations, about $52,000 has been raised for the Boulder Beach path.

Bids were solicited in 2025 with Caliber Concrete being awarded the project. Caliber Concrete is owned by Jason Martin, who has a home at Lake Panorama.

On June 26, LPA staff requested an updated bid from Martin for a trail at Boulder Beach that is a bit shorter than originally planned. The new bid is $60,000. Martin said his company can install the path this September.

Now Friends of Lake Panorama has a goal of raising the remaining $8,000 needed by mid-August.

The concrete path will be 6-feet wide, 5-inches thick and one-third-mile long. The main entrance is through an opening in the existing fence south of the parking lot. The path will wind past the shelter houses and playgrounds, then along the lake before looping back to the north side of the parking lot.

Donors of $500 or more will be recognized on a sign at the entrance to the walking path, and on the Friends of Lake Panorama website.

Direct donations can be made by check payable to Friends of Lake Panorama, and mailed to Friends, PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Donations also can be made through Venmo @Panorama-Friends, or by credit card at friendsoflakepanorama.org.

Latest News