Friends of Lake Panorama now is raising funds for a dog park, after receiving approval from the Lake Panorama Association board of directors at their August meeting.
The idea of a dog park on LPA property has been discussed off and on for nearly a decade. In April 2019, Friends conducted a survey to gather input from LPA members on possible future projects. The Friends board met June 24, 2019, reviewed and discussed the survey results, and approved several action items.
One action item dealt with the possible development of an LPA dog park. While a dog park didn’t rank as high in the survey as other projects, there was strong support from a segment of the LPA membership. For that reason, the Friends board decided to recruit volunteers to serve on a dog park task force to study location, design, costs, and rules.
At its June 22, 2020, meeting, the Friends board received the dog park task force report, and voted unanimously to endorse the project and advance the report to the LPA board. The Friends board also agreed to manage donations to this project.
The cost of the dog park plan developed by the task force is $50,000. All funds will need to be raised with support from dog park enthusiasts and dog lovers, as LPA will only be partnering with in-kind contributions such as running a water line.
If the needed funds are raised, the dog park will be located at the corner of Sage Trail and RV Road, near the east campground and across the road from holes 12 and 13 on the Lake Panorama National golf course.
A 6’ high chain link fence that is 650’ long and 155’ wide will encircle the park. There will be two sections, one for small dogs and one for large dogs, with chain link fence dividing the two areas. The property currently is planted to soybeans, so funds will be needed to improve the seedbed and establish turfgrass.
A single entrance will be protected by a keyless lock. Once inside this gate, users can choose a gate to either the large dog area or the small dog area. A concrete slab at the entrance will be covered with a steel roof structure.
Crushed rock will be used to 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. The entry code will be available to members and guests of members by calling LPA security or the LPA office, and will be changed periodically. Signs will be posted for responsible use, with volunteers helping decide on these rules as fundraising is underway. One rule already determined is all dogs must wear a tag showing they are up-to-date with state-required rabies vaccinations.
Because Friends of Lake Panorama 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.
Checks made payable to Friends of Lake Panorama can be mailed to PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Donors should include a note or designate on the check funds are to be used for the dog park. More information about other donation options is available here.