This project will be 100% financed through community support. We have received all of the required approvals to move forward. Now your involvement is essential for this to succeed. Please consider:
The Project
To build a pet memorial, the “Rainbow Bridge”, honoring beloved pets.
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We will dedicate a small parcel of land in Park Township as the site for the Rainbow Bridge.
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Community involvement will ensure the project reflects our shared values.
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Funding for both the creation and ongoing upkeep of the memorial will come from community contributions.
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Examples of other memorials are below.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, the Rainbow Bridge is a comforting metaphor. It represents a place where pets who have passed away wait to be joyfully reunited with their owners, so they can cross into heaven together.
Holland Area Pet Memorial is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our tax identification number is 39-5012618.
Please consider supporting us by making a donation
Submit your thoughts
Give the gift of love and build a pathway of support for families of beloved pets who have gone on to the Rainbow Bridge.
In support of Holland Area Pet Memorial, we are offering an opportunity to help “remember furry family members” by dedicating a brick and creating a permanent reminder of your generosity and support. The brick pathway welcomes guests to our bridge — a calming, beautiful respite where our guests can relax and focus on the memories of their furry friend. We will etch your name (or the name of your pet, company, school, church or organization) in the brick to permanently recognize your generosity.
The Plan
We start with a location near Holland State Park.
We add a design for the project
and a design for the bridge
Our Location:
The location will provide the serene atmosphere we are seeking, located at the south end of 168th street, south of Ottawa Beach Rd., between the DNR property and Bay View Association property. There is plenty of parallel parking available along the DNR property.
Watch for more updates as we go…
Samples of other Pet Memorials
The city of Sault Ste. Marie, Canada erected a Rainbow Bridge installation in September of 2025.
The Rainbow Bridge installation is inspired by the well-known poem Rainbow Bridge by Edna Clyne-Rekhy, which speaks to the bond between humans and their animal companions. The memorial features a 10-foot rainbow arch mounted on a concrete platform, accompanied by a plaque inscribed with the poem. Designed as a place of reflection and remembrance, the bridge offers a tranquil space where pet owners can honor the lives of their departed companions. A distinctive feature of the bridge is the wire mesh along the structure, which allows visitors to affix pet tags as a personal tribute to their pets.
“Sault Ste. Marie 🇨🇦 just installed this Rainbow Bridge Memorial; a place where locals can come hang pet tags in honor of their beloved furkids who’ve crossed the rainbow bridge.
We stumbled on it out on a bike ride exploring the town; saw its vibrant colors and had to stop. After reading the plaque and realizing what it was— instant tears (the good kind). I felt like I got to say hi again to Penny🐕🦺, Sam🐈⬛, Buddy🐩, Spitfire🐈⬛, Tailhook🐈⬛, Sparky🐶… 🥹
These are the travel moments that stay with you—not just the big sights, but the unexpected discoveries that touch your heart in ways you didn’t see coming.”
🩷Stef
The Rainbow Bridge, Lake Lure, North Carolina
The “Rainbow Bridge” in Lake Lure was a memorial on the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge where pet owners left collars and tags to honor lost pets, inspired by the widely known Rainbow Bridge poem. Created by artist Amy Wald around 2022, it became a popular, moving spot for visitors to share in grief and celebrate their beloved animals. Sadly, the original Rainbow Bridge was destroyed by Hurricane Helene in 2024.
A new Rainbow Bridge is being designed by Amy Wald, who built the original Rainbow Bridge. The new bridge will be larger than the original, with expanded extra rails for visitors to place collars of their beloved departed pets.