The final pieces of a project that received 2021 Beach Ball funding are expected to fall into place in the next few weeks. A total of $5,000 was committed to the Panorama West Nature Trail, plus some private donations were received.
A survey conducted in April 2019 by Friends of Lake Panorama showed strong LPA member interest in walking trails at Lake Panorama. A Friends board task force was created to explore options. It was decided an existing trail being used by a limited number of people and the Panorama school’s cross-country track teams would be perfect as a designated nature trail.
Approval by the LPA board at its August meeting to allow the school to move cross country practices and meets to the south shore means the Panorama West trail won’t be used by the school after the 2022 season.
Seven trail marker posts with directional signage to keep users on the official trail, a trailhead sign, and two street signs for Nicholl Drive will be installed by LPA maintenance staff in the near future.
Parking for the Panorama West Nature Trail is in a cul-de-sac at the end of Nicholl Drive, which intersects with Panorama Road just south of the Panorama West clubhouse. The trailhead sign that will be installed near the parking area features a drawing of the trail created by Dan Badding.
At the three-quarters mile mark, there is an optional three-quarters of a mile loop. Those who use the official trail, plus the optional loop, will complete 2.25 miles. Two backless benches recently were installed along the trail.
The trail winds through grassy open areas and timber, and does not cross any portion of the golf course or roadways. For safety reasons, and in compliance with current LPA rules, users of the trail may include hikers, runners, cross-country skiers and dogwalkers, but no motorized vehicles.
At its Sept. 19 meeting, the Friends of Lake Panorama board reviewed the financials for the Panorama West Nature Trail. Because of the level of private donations received for this project, only $2,000 of the $5,000 allocated from the 2021 Beach Ball was needed. The remaining $3,000 will be moved to a fund for the trail network being developed on Lake Panorama’s south shore.