Bridge revitalized into community pet memorial

The Rainbow Bridge, in honour of peoples' pets who have died at Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst, Ont.

It’s a place to honour the life and legacy of your beloved pets in a tangible and community-minded way.

A pet memorial bridge has been created by the Gravenhurst Lions Club in partnership with the Town of Gravenhurst at the Muskoka Wharf.

The way it works is owners with pets who have passed away can buy a tag which will showcase a dedication to their pet and later be installed onto the bridge.

The tags are about 1.5 by 3.5 inches, and pet owners can put whatever they want about their beloved animal as long as it’s within 50 characters. The pet dedication costs $50, which covers the tag, installation, and printing, with funds going back into the community through the Lions Club.

They will then get painted and attached to some horizontal boards on the railing. The bridge can accommodate around 200 tags and has signs around it including the poem and information about the project.

The bridge was originally built in 2008 as a boardwalk feature in Gravenhurst. Amy Taylor, manager of economic development for the Town of Gravenhurst, says it’s about time the bridge has some sprucing up, so the timing of the memorial has worked out well.

The bridge is around 35 to 40 feet long with 70 boards. The rainbow has seven colours with each colour filling around 10 boards.

Sharon Morton, the secretary of the Lions Club, came up with the idea after reading the Rainbow Bridge poem, a piece written by Scottish artist Edna Clyne-Rekhy, in 1959 when she lost her dog. When Morton approached the Town about the idea, it was wanting to do some sort of upgrade with the bridge anyway. After a presentation to council, there was support from Mayor Heidi Lorenz.

While the soft launch of the bridge was in September and the collection of the tags have already started, the official unveiling and grand opening is expected to be in the spring of 2026.

To buy a tag and make a dedication to your pet, go to the Gravenhurst Lions website.