Fundraising for a proposed dog park at Lake Panorama got a big boost from a day-long Octoberfest event Oct. 17. A total of $6,225 was raised that day from participants in a morning walk/run, afternoon golf tournament and evening open house at the LPN conference center.
A volunteer committee planned the event, designed to increase awareness of the dog park plan, while raising money and collecting donations. Friends of Lake Panorama is managing the donations, with a goal of $50,000 to build the park and provide all desired amenities.
The Friends board of directors has set an interim goal of raising $25,000 by May 1 to make sure this is a financially viable project. No matching funds from the LPA are available, so all funding needs to come from donations and fundraisers.
Nearly $9,000 had been donated to the dog park in advance of the Oct. 17 fundraiser, and additional funds have come in since. The total raised to date is more than $18,000.
Because Friends is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit charity, all donations are tax deductible. Donors of at least $500 will be recognized on a sign at the dog park, plus on the Friends website. If the needed funds are raised, the facility will be located at the corner of Sage Trail and RV Road, near the east campground.
The “Going to the Dogs” walk/run had 12 participants, and took place on the back nine cart paths of the LPN golf course. Registration was at Spikes, where freewill donations were accepted, and water and dog bandanas handed out.
A trailer was set up throughout the day between the #12 green and #13 tee box, where volunteers provided information, took donations and showed the layout and location of the proposed park.
Nine teams participated in the “Going to the Dogs” nine-hole, four-person best shot golf tournament. The cost was $40 per person, with $20 going directly to the dog park. The winning team was Jim and Julie Tibbles and Scott and Sherri Miller. They donated their $40 cash prize back to the dog park.
At the open house, five donated items were used in a silent auction that raised $400. Raffle tickets were sold for 21 donated items. A 50/50 raffle raised $310. The holders of the winning ticket were Jim and Julie Tibbles, who donated their half back to the cause.
The biggest part of the fundraising came from eight individuals or couples who that day each made a direct donation of $500 to the dog park.
Plans for the park include a 6’ high chain link fence 650’ long and 155’ wide. There will be two sections, one for small dogs and one for large dogs, with chain link fence dividing the two areas. A single entrance will be protected by a keyless lock. Once inside this gate, users can choose a gate to either the large dog or small dog areas.
Crushed rock will create a 5' wide walking path along and under the fencing to provide a weed barrier and keep dogs from digging. A small gravel parking lot will be adjacent to the park.
Amenities inside the park fence included in the $50,000 cost estimate are four benches, four stations where bags for dog waste would be available, and two domed waste receptacles. A dual station pet fountain placed in the fence line between the two sections would make it possible for dogs to access drinking water from either side.
The facility will be open to LPA members and their guests. Checks made payable to Friends of Lake Panorama can be mailed to PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Other donation options and more information is available at www.friendsoflakepanorama.org.