The Gravenhurst Lions Club is proposing a pet memorial be created on the bridge at the Muskoka Wharf.
The bridge is situated between the Gravenhurst Chiropractic & Acupuncture Centre and Dock of The Bay Steak & Seafood Grille.
Sharon Morton, past president of the Lions Club, joined Gravenhurst council on June 18 to outline how it would symbolically be painted in rainbow colours to represent the Rainbow Bridge poem.
“When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge,” it says in the poem. “There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.”
Morton said she’s been pondering this idea for a while and recently reached out to Amy Taylor, manager of economic development, to brainstorm. She explained the town would maintain the bridge, including painting it, while the Lions Club would be responsible for collecting the material memorializing the pets. Morton added they aren’t sure what they will use but floated installed tags or plaques with the pet’s name.
Coun. Penny Varney said she loved the idea, pointing out how the poem is something every pet owner can relate to.
“I think that I have five dog tags at home right now that I would definitely pay to have put on that bridge,” she continued.
Varney referenced the Pont Des Arts, a pedestrian bridge in Paris, France, that is one of the go-to tourist attractions for lovebirds. Since late 2008, couples have taken locks, written their names on them, and attached them to the bridge.
“It could turn out to be an amazing tourist attraction,” said Varney about the proposed bridge redesign in Gravenhurst.
Scott Lucas, the town’s chief administrative officer, said no decision is needed by council yet. “Staff have already been in consultation with the Lions Club,” he said. “We think it’s a great idea and we’ll continue that dialogue.”
If they decide to move forward with the idea, he said it will likely be discussed again when they’re deliberating for the town’s annual budget.
