Benches at Beaches
A survey conducted by Friends of Lake Panorama in April 2019 showed LPA member interest in additional amenities at Lake Panorama’s beaches. This led to Friends promoting high quality benches at beaches. Benches can be purchased either as a memorial for a loved one, or by those who want to leave their mark on Lake Panorama while they are alive. The benches include signs that can be engraved with up to four lines of text.
In 2019, a metal bench on a concrete slab was installed at Boulder Beach, in memory of Kim Lubeck. In 2021, a metal swinging bench was installed at the Boulder Beach playground, in memory of Bill Priestley. Another metal swinging bench was installed at Sunset Beach, on concrete, in memory of Lois and Dean Porath. A stationary metal bench also was installed on concrete at Sunset Beach, in memory of Courtney Allen Sr.
Four benches were installed in 2022. Brian and JoAnn Johnson donated a swinging bench at Shady Beach, and Larry Babcock and Susan Thompson donated a swinging bench at Boulder Beach. Both couples said they wanted to give back to the Lake Panorama community while they can enjoy their swings. Cindy McCarty and her family made the same decision and donated a swinging bench at Boulder Beach. The fourth swinging bench, also installed at Boulder Beach, is in memory of Laurie Dawes. In 2024, swinging benches donated by the Dick and Carolyn Koberg family and the Scott and Sherri Miller family were installed along the Boulder Beach wall.
Locations at all three beaches for these metal benches, either stationary or swinging, have been identified. Each is placed on a concrete pad. While costs vary, the current estimated cost of either a stationary or swinging bench on a concrete slab is $3,750. Bench colors available are blue and green.
Smaller memorial benches have been donated and installed at all three beach playgrounds, and are another option for donors to consider. Friends of Lake Panorama also can help those who are interested in donating a bench at either of the lake’s two golf courses.
Friends is not conducting a general fundraising campaign for benches. Instead, this “benches” project targets individuals, couples and families who want to sponsor a single bench. Interested? Email staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org, or call Susan Thompson at 515-240-6536.
