A new recreational amenity at Boulder Beach received a boost with a $28,000 commitment of funds raised at the 2026 Friends of Lake Panorama Beach Ball. Now just $8,000 is needed for construction of a walking path at Boulder Beach.

A total of $20,000 from the 2025 Beach Ball originally was split between walking paths at Boulder and Sunset beaches. The LPA board had approved the proposed walking paths as a way to create safer walking options at Lake Panorama.

This spring, with agreement from the LPA, the Friends board voted to focus fundraising on a single path at Boulder Beach. Once this project is complete, the possibility of a similar path at Sunset Beach will be explored.

With money from two Beach Balls, plus private donations, about $52,000 has been raised for the Boulder Beach path.

The concrete path will be 6-feet wide, 5-inches thick and one-third mile long. The main entrance is through an opening in the existing fence south of the parking lot. The path will wind past the shelter houses and playgrounds, then along the lake before looping back to the north side of the parking lot.

Bids were solicited in 2025 with Caliber Concrete being awarded the project. Caliber Concrete is owned by Jason Martin, who has a home at Lake Panorama on Andrews Terrace.

On June 26, LPA staff requested an updated bid from Martin for a trail at Boulder Beach that is a bit shorter than originally planned. The new bid is $60,000. Martin said his company can install the path this September.

Now Friends of Lake Panorama has set a goal of raising the remaining $8,000 needed by mid-August.

All donations are tax-deductible. Donors of $500 or more will be recognized on a sign near the start of the walking path, and on the Friends website.

Checks can be made payable to Friends of Lake Panorama and mailed to PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Direct donations also can be sent via Venmo @Panorama-Friends. Donations of securities (stocks, mutual funds, etc.) are welcome. Credit cards are accepted on the Friends website.