FRIENDS OF LAKE PANORAMA BOARD ALLOCATES 2022 BEACH BALL FUNDS

The Friends of Lake Panorama’s Beach Ball July 22 had a profit of $30,000. At its Sept. 19 meeting, the Friends board of directors decided some funds will be used for projects to be completed this fall, with remaining funds set aside for future projects.

The Friends board earmarked $17,500 of 2022 Beach Ball proceeds for a basketball half-court at Sunset Beach. The LPA board approved this project at its June 2021 meeting. Now plans have expanded to make it possible for those interested to also play pickleball on the court.

The idea of expanding the basketball court to include pickleball was raised at an informational meeting at Sunset Beach earlier this summer. Plans for a 40-feet by 50-feet court were underway, but going to 40-feet by 60-feet makes it possible to accommodate pickleball. A portable net on wheels will be stored to one side of the court.

Sport Construction Midwest, headquartered in Adel, was the vendor for the Boulder Beach sports courts and now is assisting with the Sunset Beach sports court. Once the concrete pad is ready, company employees will install a new Goalsetter MVP hoop, place sports court tile on the concrete, and paint lines for both basketball and pickleball. An eight-feet high fence and one gate will finish off this project.

Mark and Karen Einck, who matched donations of $25,000 for the Boulder Beach basketball court, now have donated $25,000 for the Sunset Beach court. Another $5,000 in donations also has been received. Donations for this project will continue to be accepted through Nov. 1, with donors of $500 or more recognized on a sign at the court. If more money is raised than needed for the court, extra funds will be used for one or more benches near the court.

Construction on the new sports court at Sunset Beach will begin in October, and weather permitting, the project will be done this fall.

The Friends board also voted to use $4,500 raised at the 2022 Beach Ball to purchase benches and trees for the Lake Panorama dog park. Two metal benches and four Autumn Blaze Maples from Isom Tree Farm have been purchased. The six-foot benches will be placed on concrete pads, with one near each of the two sugar maple trees donated and planted a year ago by Isom Tree Farm.

Larry Isom installed the four new maple trees Oct. 7, volunteering his time to plant and water the trees. Two went into each side of the dog park, and are planted so the three trees on each side will form a canopy of shade as they mature.

The dog park, which opened June 10, is available during daylight hours. There are two sides, one for large dogs and one for small dogs. It is at the corner of Sage Trail and East RV Road, near the east campground. The park was financed by $50,000 in donations through the Friends of Lake Panorama.

The remaining 2022 Beach Ball profits will be held in reserve until these projects are complete. Additional allocations will be made at a later date, with at least some going to support enhancements to the walking and cross country trail network on Lake Panorama’s south shore.

Tax-deductible donations to the Sunset Beach sports court, the south shore trail system, or the Friends general fund can be made at any time by check payable to Friends and mailed to Friends of Lake Panorama, PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Donations also can be made using VENMO @Panorama-Friends, or by credit card on the Friends website at friendsoflakepanorama.org.

LAKE PANORAMA DOG PARK PROGRESS REPORT

Fundraising by Friends of Lake Panorama for a dog park kicked off in September 2020, after the LPA board unanimously approved the plan at its August 2020 meeting. The park is located at the corner of Sage Trail and RV Road.

Construction on the park is nearly complete. Most of the work was done last fall, with Bryce Arganbright of Arganbright Construction installing a 6’ high chain link fence 400’ long and 150’ wide. There are two sections, one for small dogs that are less than 15-inches at shoulder height, and one for large dogs that are least 15-inches at shoulder height.

A single entrance is protected by a keyless lock. Once inside this gate, users can choose a second gate to either the large dog or small dog areas. Arganbright was able to get a shelter for this area built last fall before cold weather set in. By the end of April, he plans to finish work on the shelter, pour a concrete pad for the entrance, and install the remaining fence and gates.

Crushed rock along the inside perimeter of the fence provides a walking path, a weed barrier and will keep dogs from digging near the fence. The LPA maintenance staff recently installed a gravel parking lot on the east side of the park. Some additional rock may be needed there as the ground firms up.

Last fall, Brandon Brehmer donated his time to seed and fertilize the fenced-in area. Despite the dry fall, seed germination did occur to get a turfgrass base started. Brehmer will be overseeding and fertilizing again this spring, as soon as the soil temperature is warm enough for grass seed to germinate. Timely rains will be needed to get a turfgrass stand that can withstand the expected dog and human traffic. Opening of the park is planned for 2022, and is dependent on how quickly the turfgrass establishment is complete.

Two sugar maple trees were planted last fall, donated by Larry and Heather Isom, who own Isom Tree Farm. If additional trees are desired, the Isoms have offered to donate one tree for each tree purchased, which could be planted in fall 2022.

The LPA has ordered two picnic tables, and will be placing one in each of the two sections of the park. Water lines were run last fall for two dog water fountains that will be mounted on concrete near the park entrance, one on each side.

Four bag dispensers for picking up pet waste will be installed this spring, with two near the park entrances, and two in the far corners of each section. Two pet waste receptacles will be attached to the concrete pad within each side of the park.

A set of rules for responsible use of the dog park has been adopted, and will be posted on a sign at the park entrance. A sign recognizing donors of $500 or more also will be posted at the dog park. The facility will be open to LPA members and their guests. Once a date for the park opening has been set, members will be able to call LPA Security to get the code to the main entrance gate.

DOG PARK CONSTRUCTION NEARING COMPLETION

The physical features of the Lake Panorama dog park are nearly complete, including the fencing, gates and entrance. The ground within the park has been seeded and fertilized. Now rain is needed for the grass seed to germinate and establish a solid turfgrass base before winter.

Bryce Arganbright, Arganbright Construction of Panora, is the contractor handling the fencing, gates and covered entrance.

The park is located on the east side of Lake Panorama, at the corner of Sage Trail and RV Road. A 6’ tall chain link fence 400’ long and 150’ wide surrounds the park. There are two sections, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. A single entrance will be protected by a keyless lock. Once inside this gate, users can choose a gate to either the large dog or small dog areas.

Crushed rock has been used to create a 4-foot-wide walking path along the inside of the fence, and extends another one-foot under and outside the fence to provide a weed barrier and keep dogs from digging.

The Lake Panorama Association has provided some in-kind contributions to the park. LPA staff used a skid loader with a soil conditioning attachment to prepare the ground for grass seed. The LPA also will install a driveway and gravel parking lot adjacent to the park to the east.

The LPA maintenance staff trenched a water line from the golf course to the main entrance of the dog park, which will supply two water fountains for dogs, one in each section of the park.

Because the LPA will be providing ongoing maintenance once the park is complete, the association is donating two picnic tables, one for each section. These will be the same types of tables used at the lake’s three beaches, which can be moved by the mower to different locations as needed.

Two sugar maple trees, donated by the Isom Tree Farm, will be planted in December, with one in the center of each of the two sections.

Amenities inside the park fence yet to be added are four stations where bags for dog waste will be available, and a waste receptacle near the entrance gate. Signs will be posted for responsible use.

The facility will be open to LPA members and their guests. Once the park is ready to open, members will need to contact the LPA office to receive the key code. Opening of the park is expected for spring/summer 2022, and will depend on how quickly the turfgrass gets established and all amenities are in place.

At the time of the July 30 Beach Ball, private donations for the dog park stood at $45,000. The Friends board voted to provide another $5,000 from the Beach Ball proceeds to reach the $50,000 goal.

A sign recognizing donors of $500 or more will be posted at the dog park. Donations continue to be accepted to help with final construction expenses, plus future needs such as turfgrass fertilizer, weed control and dog waste bags.

2021 Beach Ball Funds Will Complete Three Projects

The Friends of Lake Panorama’s Beach Ball fundraiser July 30 had a profit of $25,000. At its Aug. 16 meeting, the Friends board of directors voted to spend the Beach Ball proceeds to complete three projects.

First is the Lake Panorama dog park. Fundraising for this project kicked off in September 2020. The idea of a dog park on LPA property had been discussed for nearly a decade. In April 2019, Friends conducted a survey to gather input from LPA members on possible future projects. The Friends board reviewed and discussed the survey results, and approved several action items.

One action item dealt with the possible development of an LPA dog park. In September 2019, Friends recruited volunteers to serve on a dog park task force to study location, design, costs and rules. The Friends board received the task force report at its June 2020 meeting, and voted unanimously to endorse the project and advance the report to the LPA board.

The LPA board reviewed the dog park proposal at its July meeting, and gave unanimous approval at its August meeting for Friends to begin fundraising. A goal of $50,000 was set to build the park and provide all desired amenities.

At the time of the July 30 Beach Ball, donations for the dog park stood at $45,000. The Friends board voted to provide another $5,000 from the Beach Ball proceeds to reach the $50,000 goal.

Construction on the park is underway. It is located at the corner of Sage Trail and RV Road. A 6’ high chain link fence 400’ long and 150’ wide is being installed. There will be two sections, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. A single entrance will be protected by a keyless lock. Once inside this gate, users can choose a gate to either the large dog or small dog areas.

Crushed rock will create a 5' wide walking path along and under the fencing to provide a weed barrier and keep dogs from digging. A gravel parking lot will be adjacent to the park to the east. Once construction is complete, the park area will be fertilized and grass seeded. Two red maple trees, donated by the Isom Tree Farm, will be planted.

Amenities inside the park fence will be a picnic table in each of the two sections, a dog water fountain in each section, stations where bags for dog waste will be available, and waste receptacles. Opening of the park is planned for spring/summer 2022, and will be dependent on how quickly the turfgrass establishment is complete and all amenities are in place.

The facility will be open to LPA members and their guests. Signs will be posted for responsible use. A sign recognizing donors of $500 or more also will be posted at the dog park.

Another project that will receive Beach Ball funding involves enhancements to an existing trail near the Panorama West golf course. This project has been estimated at $5,500. Donations of $700 already have been received. The Friends board voted to provide $5,000 from the Beach Ball proceeds to complete fundraising for this project.

The existing trail is used by the Panorama School District as a cross-country track site and covers a variety of terrain including timber pathways, golf fairways and roadways. A task force of volunteers has developed plans that include marking a portion of this trail and designating it as the “official” multi-use trail.

For safety reasons, and in compliance with current LPA rules, users of this 2.5-mile trail, which includes a 1.5 mile out-and-back section, and an optional 1-mile loop, may include hikers, runners, cross-country skiers and dogwalkers, but no motorized vehicles. 

The newly marked trail will wind its way through grassy open areas and timber, but will not cross any portion of the golf course or roadways. A trail map will be developed, and placed on an informational kiosk that will double as a trail head sign. The trail head, with limited parking, will be located at the end of the Nicholl Drive cul-de-sac just east of the Panorama West clubhouse. 

Low profile 4x4 recycled plastic lumber posts with directional signage, recreational symbols, and distance markers will be installed along the multi-use portion of the trail. To avoid confusion, these park-style, recreational markers will be different from the cross-country signage. One or two recycled plastic benches will be placed along the trail. 

Task force team members will meet soon to finalize design details for the kiosk, markers and benches. Product orders will be placed this fall, with installation and project completion planned for spring 2022.

The third project to receive proceeds from the 2021 Beach Ball is the addition of three swings to the Sunset Beach playground. These will be the same swings as the ones now at both Boulder and Shady beaches, and will be placed directly west of the existing playground. The budget for this project is $8,000, and the Friends board voted to provide the full amount to this project.

The swings were ordered Aug. 20 from Boland Recreation of Marshalltown, the same vendor that now has provided new play equipment at all three of Lake Panorama’s beaches. The swings will be delivered and installed in spring 2022.

The Friends board voted to hold the remaining $7,000 raised by the Beach Ball in reserve until these three projects are complete, in case costs increase beyond what has been budgeted. If the funds are not needed for any of these three projects, the money will be applied to a new project.

Because of the success of the 2021 Beach Ball, the Friends board plans to hold its next Beach Ball on Friday, July 22, 2022.

Tax-deductible donations can be made at any time by check payable to Friends and mailed to Friends of Lake Panorama, PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Donations also can be made using VENMO @Friends-Panorama, or by credit card on the Friends website at friendsoflakepanorama.org.

FUNDRAISING CONTINUES FOR DOG PARK, GRANT RECEIVED FOR PLAYGROUND

The current priority project for Friends of Lake Panorama is a dog park. Fundraising for this project began in September 2020. The goal is $50,000 to construct the park and provide all desired amenities. So far, $33,000 has been donated to the project, which will be open to LPA members and their guests.

The park will be located at the corner of Sage Trail and RV Road, near the east campground. Plans include a 6’ high chain link fence 650’ long and 155’ wide. There will be two sections, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. A single entrance will be protected by a keyless lock.

A sign recognizing donors of $500 or more will be posted at the park. Dog park supporters who donated in 2020 can keep the fundraising momentum going by making a second donation that will be deductible on their 2021 tax returns. Organizers hope enough money can be raised to begin construction in fall 2021 and the park open in spring 2022.

The previous priority project for Friends was new playground equipment at Shady and Boulder beaches. Early donations and proceeds from the 2020 Beach Ball made it possible to order the play equipment for Shady Beach, which was installed last October, the same month the $70,000 goal was reached.

Additional donations of $1,700 in the last two months of 2020 made it possible to add one bench and a second spring rider to the Boulder Beach playground. That equipment was ordered in January, and will be delivered and installed this spring, once ground conditions allow.

In early February, Friends of Lake Panorama was notified it will receive a $500 grant for the playgrounds from Aureon, a technology products and services provider. The grant is being given in conjunction with Panora Telco, which sponsored the grant application submitted last fall by the charity. The Aureon Charity Grant program was created in 1993 to increase service and support to rural independent telecommunications companies and the communities they serve.

Donations For Lake Panorama Dog Park Surge In December

At the beginning of December, $19,000 had been donated to Friends of Lake Panorama for a proposed Lake Panorama dog park. By the end of December, donations had reached $29,000.

The ultimate goal for the dog park is $50,000 to construct the park and provide all desired amenities. The Friends board had set an interim goal of $25,000 raised by May 1, 2021, to ensure this is a financially viable project. With $10,000 donated in December, that goal was surpassed four months early.

One reason for the strong level of donations was a challenge made early in December by Amanda and Jeff Creen, who said they would match up to $2,500 in donations made within the month.

The couple has been taking their two rescue pups to the Perry dog park for the past year. They were excited when plans for a Lake Panorama dog park were revealed, and are looking forward to it being built. Amanda says they decided to offer the December matching funds to help speed the process.

Amanda is the Lakeside Village director, and she and Jeff live on the third floor of the senior living facility. Lakeside Village is pet friendly, and there are several dogs living with their owners there, in addition to Lola and Toby, the dogs she and Jeff own.

The couple adopted Toby three years ago, and Lola two years ago. Both came through United Yorkie Rescue and were seven years old at the time of adoption.

"We love the idea of a dog park at Lake Panorama," Amanda says. "I know we'll be loading up the Lakeside bus with dogs and their owners and making trips to the dog park on a regular basis."

Plans for the park include a 6’ high chain link fence 650’ long and 155’ wide. There will be two sections, one for small dogs and one for large dogs, with chain link fence dividing the two areas. A single entrance will be protected by a keyless lock. Once inside this gate, users can choose a gate to either the large dog or small dog areas.

Crushed rock will 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. Signs will be posted for responsible use. A sign recognizing donors of $500 or more also will be posted at the dog park.

Fundraising for the dog park will continue as Friends of Lake Panorama’s priority project over the next several months, with hopes construction can begin in the fall of 2021.

The Friends of Lake Panorama board will host its fourth Beach Ball fundraiser on Friday, July 30. A final decision will be made at the board’s spring meeting, but it is anticipated a percentage of funds from this event will go to the dog park.

The board also hopes to use some of the Beach Ball funds for smaller projects, such as walking trails near Panorama West and the south shore, a disc golf course on the west side of the lake, and more benches and other amenities at all three beaches.

Friends of Lake Panorama Board Makes 2021 Plans

Friends of Lake Panorama is governed by a volunteer, seven-member board of directors. The board held its 2021 organizational meeting Dec. 1. 

For the past year, the charity has focused on raising $70,000 for new playground equipment at both Shady and Boulder Beaches. New equipment was installed at Shady Beach in October, and the $70,000 goal also was reached in October. One key item of business at the Dec. 1 meeting was to approve a motion to purchase the playground equipment for Boulder Beach.

The Boulder equipment now has been ordered and will be delivered and installed in the spring. There is a room for more benches and individual spring riders at both locations, so any additional money donated to the playgrounds in 2020 will be used for these extra items.

A sign recognizing all donors of $500 or more will be installed near both playgrounds, with those donors also recognized on the Friends website.

In other business, two board members were reappointed to the board. In 2020, Jim Tibbles filled out the final year of Dave Furbush’s three-year term, and agreed to be reappointed for a full three-year term.

Also reappointed to a three-year term was Jody Muench. Muench has served on the Friends board since 2015. Other board members are Galen Johnson, John Muenzenberger, Jan Reinicke, Emily Spradling and Tricia Steffen. 

In officer elections, Reinicke was elected president, Muenzenberger vice president, and Emily Spradling secretary-treasurer. Susan Thompson is the non-profit’s executive director.

The board heard an update on fundraising for the Lake Panorama Dog Park. As of Dec. 1, $19,000 has been raised for this project. The ultimate goal for the dog park is $50,000 to construct the park and provide all desired amenities. The Friends board has set an interim goal of $25,000 raised by May 1, 2021, to ensure this is a financially viable project.

Other topics discussed at the Friends board meeting included raising awareness and beginning work on some smaller projects in 2021, including walking trails near Panorama West and the south shore, a disc golf course on the west side of the lake, and more benches and other amenities at all three beaches.

The board also discussed hosting a 2021 Beach Ball to help raise funds to divide among several projects. A final decision will be made at the board’s spring meeting, but it is anticipated a fundraising event will take place in early fall of 2021. 

To provide some relief for charitable organizations during this difficult year, Congress included a provision in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that permits individuals who do not itemize deductions to deduct $300 of charitable contributions as an "above-the-line" deduction. Married couples can deduct $600 when taking the standard deduction.

For those who do itemize, cash contributions to qualified charities can be deducted up to 100% of adjusted gross income for the 2020 calendar year.

Donations of securities (stocks, mutual funds, etc.) are welcome, as are direct IRA qualified charitable distributions. Those 70 ½ or older can make a tax-free gift from their IRA and see that gift put to use today. There are potential tax-saving benefits when considering either of these direct donation strategies. For information, contact Kristen Crouthamel, financial advisor at GCSB Investment Center, 641-755-2799 or kristen@investgcsb.com.

Donors currently can designate benches or spring riders for the Boulder and Shady playgrounds, the Lake Panorama Dog Park, Sunset Beach, the Friends general fund, or golf course beautification at either Lake Panorama National or Panorama West.

Donations can be made by check payable to Friends of Lake Panorama, and mailed to Friends of Lake Panorama, PO Box 488, Panora, IA 50216. Donations also can be made by credit card on the Friends website at friendsoflakepanorama.org,

Octoberfest Raises $6,225 for Dog Park

Fundraising for a proposed dog park at Lake Panorama got a big boost from a day-long Octoberfest event Oct. 17. A total of $6,225 was raised that day from participants in a morning walk/run, afternoon golf tournament and evening open house at the LPN conference center.

A volunteer committee planned the event, designed to increase awareness of the dog park plan, while raising money and collecting donations. Friends of Lake Panorama is managing the donations, with a goal of $50,000 to build the park and provide all desired amenities.

The Friends board of directors has set an interim goal of raising $25,000 by May 1 to make sure this is a financially viable project. No matching funds from the LPA are available, so all funding needs to come from donations and fundraisers.

Nearly $9,000 had been donated to the dog park in advance of the Oct. 17 fundraiser, and additional funds have come in since. The total raised to date is more than $18,000.

Because Friends 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. If the needed funds are raised, the facility will be located at the corner of Sage Trail and RV Road, near the east campground.

The “Going to the Dogs” walk/run had 12 participants, and took place on the back nine cart paths of the LPN golf course. Registration was at Spikes, where freewill donations were accepted, and water and dog bandanas handed out.

A trailer was set up throughout the day between the #12 green and #13 tee box, where volunteers provided information, took donations and showed the layout and location of the proposed park.

Nine teams participated in the “Going to the Dogs” nine-hole, four-person best shot golf tournament. The cost was $40 per person, with $20 going directly to the dog park. The winning team was Jim and Julie Tibbles and Scott and Sherri Miller. They donated their $40 cash prize back to the dog park.

At the open house, five donated items were used in a silent auction that raised $400. Raffle tickets were sold for 21 donated items. A 50/50 raffle raised $310. The holders of the winning ticket were Jim and Julie Tibbles, who donated their half back to the cause.

The biggest part of the fundraising came from eight individuals or couples who that day each made a direct donation of $500 to the dog park. 

Plans for the park include a 6’ high chain link fence 650’ long and 155’ wide. There will be two sections, one for small dogs and one for large dogs, with chain link fence dividing the two areas. A single entrance will be protected by a keyless lock. Once inside this gate, users can choose a gate to either the large dog or small dog areas.

Crushed rock will 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. Checks made payable to Friends of Lake Panorama can be mailed to PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Other donation options and more information is available at www.friendsoflakepanorama.org.

Dog Park Fundraising October 17 Event

Fundraising is underway for a dog park at Lake Panorama, with $500 donations from two couples kicking off the campaign the week of September 21. Friends of Lake Panorama is managing the donations, with a goal of $50,000 to build the park and provide all desired amenities.

Because Friends 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.

If the needed funds are raised, the facility will be located at the corner of Sage Trail and RV Road, near the east campground.

A volunteer committee is planning a day-long Octoberfest event for Saturday, Oct. 17, at Lake Panorama National. The day includes three components, all designed to increase awareness of the dog park plan, while raising money and collecting donations.

First up is a “Going to the Dogs” walk or run that will be held 8-9:30 a.m. on the back nine cart paths of the LPN golf course. Everyone is welcome to participate, whether they want to walk or run with or without a dog. The event will begin and end at Spikes. No pre-registration is needed, just arrive at Spikes between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to check in. Freewill donations are encouraged.

A tent will be set up between the #12 green and #13 tee box, where volunteers will provide information, take donations and show the layout and location of the proposed park.

Second on the agenda is a nine-hole, four-person best shot golf tournament, with a shotgun start at 2:30 p.m. Cost is $40 per person, with $20 going directly to the dog park. Sign up a four-person team, or the pro shop will create teams from singles or couples.

Play will be on the back nine only, with a stop available between holes 12 and 13 to pick up information and view the dog park location. Check-in at Spikes at 2 p.m. Participants can register and pay in advance in the pro shop, or pay that day. Call the pro shop at 641-755-2024 to register. 

An open house will run from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the LPN banquet room. Free wine and beer samples, plus complimentary appetizers, will be available. There also will be a cash bar. Information about the dog park will be on display, with committee members available to answer questions, and donations accepted. Several items will be available in a general raffle, plus a 50/50 raffle will be conducted.

Plans for the park include a 6’ high chain link fence 650’ long and 155’ wide. There will be two sections, one for small dogs and one for large dogs, with chain link fence dividing the two areas. A single entrance will be protected by a keyless lock. Once inside this gate, users can choose a gate to either the large dog or small dog areas.

Crushed rock will 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. Signs will be posted for responsible use, with volunteers helping decide on these rules as fundraising is underway.

Checks made payable to Friends of Lake Panorama can be mailed to PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Donors should designate the funds are for the dog park.

LPA Board Approves Dog Park Concept

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.