It was July 2014 when the IRS granted Friends of Lake Panorama 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Over the next five years, with the help of generous donors and LPA, Friends completed the Sunset Beach playground and Boulder Beach sports courts. Friends also managed a $473,700 estate gift that made significant improvements to the Panorama West Golf Course.
In April 2019, Friends conducted a survey of LPA members. Responses led to new playground equipment and benches at all three beaches, upgraded walking trails at Panorama West and the South Shore, disc golf course, dog park and a basketball and pickleball court at Sunset Beach.
This past April, the Friends board created a new seven-question survey to gather feedback on completed projects and ideas for new and improved recreational amenities and beautification efforts. That survey showed appreciation for completed projects, and support for several new projects.
Jan Reinicke is the only member of the current seven-member Friends board of directors who has served since it was formed in late 2013. She has been board president since 2017.
“Many of our projects have focused on Lake Panorama’s three beaches, which has led to bigger and better playgrounds, sports courts at two locations and new benches,” Reinicke says. “We’ve also been able to diversify and create additional amenities that may not appeal to a broad audience, yet add value to the Lake Panorama community. The dog park and the disc golf course are examples of projects that received significant financial and in-kind support from those who wanted these amenities available.”
Results of the 2025 survey were reviewed at a Friends board meeting in early April. After discussion, the board chose five projects for further investigation. These include hard surface walking paths at Boulder and Sunset beaches, beach shelter upgrades, south shore boat dock, more playground equipment, and additional shade trees at beaches.
At its May 19 meeting, the Friends board chose two of these projects to receive funds raised at the 2025 Beach Ball.
One is a small project that could be in place for part of the 2025 boating season. Many survey respondents said they would be more likely to use the south shore recreation area if it could be accessed by boat.
After securing approval from the LPA board of directors, Friends is moving forward with plans for a six-feet-wide roll-in dock that will be located in the large cove immediately north of the Lake Panorama dam, which is a no-wake area.
The estimated cost of this project is $10,000. Some funds from the Beach Ball will be used, and direct donations are being accepted.
A much larger project involves hard-surface walking paths at both Sunset and Boulder beaches. More and improved options for walking paths at Lake Panorama was a frequent request from those completing the 2025 Friends survey. The LPA board approved this concept in an effort to get walkers off LPA’s narrow and winding roads.
Research is underway on surface options and related costs. The Boulder Beach path would be one-half mile, and the Sunset Beach path one-quarter mile. More details on the cost of these two projects will be available in the near future. Some funds from the 2025 Beach Ball will provide seed money to kickoff additional fundraising for these walking paths.
“Our goal is to research and help develop a variety of projects so people have options when they consider making a donation to Friends of Lake Panorama,” Renicke says. “This also makes it possible for funds from our annual Beach Ball fundraiser to be designated to more than a single recreational or beautification project.”
Once these two priority projects are complete, the Friends board will turn attention to other project ideas that surfaced as a result of the 2025 Friends survey.
Donations for the south shore boat dock and loop walking trails at Boulder and Sunset beaches now are being accepted. Direct donations can be made by check payable to Friends of Lake Panorama, and mailed to Friends, PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Donations also can be made through Venmo @Panorama-Friends, or by credit card at friendsoflakepanorama.org.
All donors receive a tax receipt. Donors contributing $500 or more will be recognized on the Friends of Lake Panorama website: friendsoflakepanorama.org.