2025 ushers in the second decade of Friends of Lake Panorama’s impact on the Lake Panorama community. 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.
One ongoing priority is a fundraising campaign for needed improvements on the Lake Panorama National golf course. In fall 2023, the LPN board of managers began development of a comprehensive master plan for the course. A fundraising effort that focuses on priority projects began in April 2024. As funds become available, priority projects are completed. Learn more here.
A new project is hard-surface walking paths at Boulder and Sunset beaches. The Boulder Beach loop will be one-half mile, the Sunset Beach loop one-quarter mile. These concrete paths will be 6-feet wide, 5-inches thick.
The cost for the Boulder Beach path is $94,000; Sunset Beach is $40,000. Separate fundraising is underway for each loop. Proceeds from the 2025 Beach Ball provided $10,000 to each project. Friends is working to raise the remaining $84,000 for Boulder and $30,000 for Sunset Beach. Construction will begin once the necessary funds have been raised. Donors of $500 or more will be recognized on signs near each of these two walking paths.