The last two informational signs planned for the Lake Panorama south shore recreation area were installed in late June.
One is a welcome sign near the parking lot. It includes a graphic of Lake Panorama, history of the project, donor recognition, rules and emergency contacts.
The second sign is at the start of the trail system. It includes a map, trail option descriptions, and details on the native plants and wildlife along the trails.
Another part of the south shore recreation area is the disc golf course, which has been open for play since last November. Four informational signs were installed in May near the first tee. A large welcome sign includes a course map.
The 127 acres on Lake Panorama’s south shore features 7,000 feet of shoreline. The seeds for low-impact recreational amenities here were planted in April 2019, when Friends of Lake Panorama surveyed LPA members for input. Walking trails and disc golf were projects of interest, with the south shore considered a good location. In July 2023, LPA gave final approval to the plan that includes the trail system, disc golf course, picnic shelter, benches and birdhouses.
Work to repair the south shore rip rap was completed in spring 2023, funded by the Lake Panorama Rural Improvement Zone (RIZ). RIZ and the LPA signed an agreement the south shore must remain a greenspace for at least the next 15 years. Amenities now in place fall under the greenspace definition.
Friends of Lake Panorama began fundraising in fall 2021 and continued through 2023. The recreation area opened in October 2023.
The trail system encompasses 26 acres of native tall grass prairie. The area was once planted to row crops, but now is enrolled in a conservation reserve program (CRP) that requires native plants be established. LPA will continue to enroll these acres in the CRP program, or find other ways to keep native species flourishing.
There are five trail options, each designated on the map with a different color. Colored arrows on brown fiberglass trail markers are installed at each trail junction. Those who do the full green loop down to the shoreline and back up through the meadow area to return to the parking lot will have walked two miles.
There are four other trail options. Choose the red option to return to the parking lot and walk just sixth-tenths of a mile. The blue option is 1.1 mile; yellow is 1.6 miles; and orange is 2 miles.
The Panorama Schools cross country trails use some sections of the Lake Panorama trail system, and are marked with blue fiberglass trail markers. The cross country trails begin and end on school property.
To reach the recreation area, there is a fenced driveway that begins at 5501 Chimra Road and leads to a parking lot with walk-through access. Beyond the shelter with picnic table are two brown markers; one points right to the first hole of the golf course, the other points left to the beginning of the trail system.
The recreation area is open during daylight hours. Wheeled vehicles are prohibited. There are no trash receptacles, restrooms or running water; visitors are asked to plan accordingly.