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Girl Scouts pitch “Reno Rainbow Bridge” for pet‑bereavement spot; council members pledge support
Summary
A Girl Scout troop from Our Lady of the Snows presented a proposal May 7, 2025 asking the Reno City Council to help them create a memorial “Rainbow Bridge” — a small park or painted bridge where residents could mourn pets. Scouts said a school survey of 230 students found 82.5% had been significantly affected by pet loss and 66.8%
A troop of junior Girl Scouts asked the Reno City Council on May 7 to help establish a community memorial — “Reno’s Rainbow Bridge” — where families could commemorate and mourn deceased pets.
The troop leaders described the project as the girls’ Junior Bronze Award community initiative and asked the council to help identify a site, provide minor infrastructure assistance and allow a modest public display such as a small placard with the Rainbow Bridge poem and a bench. The scouts also proposed a simple, locally maintained brochure or QR code with pet‑bereavement resources.
What the scouts presented
Troop 508 at Our Lady of the Snows told the council they surveyed 230 students at a local school and reported: 82.5% said they had been significantly affected by pet loss; 73.2% rated the impact at 5 or higher on a 1–10 scale; and 66.8% said it would help to have a special place to go and mourn. The scouts proposed an adopt‑a‑bridge approach, painting an existing park bridge with rainbow colors, adding a sign or plaque with the Rainbow Bridge poem and a bench — and letting people leave pet collars if desired.
Council response and follow up
Multiple council members and the mayor praised the girls’ civic engagement. Council members Naomi Duer and Devin Reese each spoke in support and offered personal donations to the troop’s fundraising. Council members and Parks & Recreation staff agreed to work with the troop to identify potential bridges and locations in city parks and to review logistical issues such as railings, weatherproof signage and litter control.
Why it matters
Council members said the topic cut across concerns of mental health, youth civic engagement and quality‑of‑life programming in parks. Several members noted that pet loss can be a meaningful grief experience for young people and seniors alike.
Next steps
Council staff and Parks and Recreation said they would help staff a short feasibility review and scout potential sites; the troop said it would continue fundraising for materials. Any physical modification to a city bridge or park will require a standard Parks and Recreation review and city permitting; council members pledged in‑chamber support and some offered private contributions to help the troop meet its Bronze Award requirements.
Ending
Council members praised the Girl Scouts’ research and presentation skills and encouraged residents to support the project. "You knocked my socks off," Mayor Hillary Schieve told the troop during the meeting.
Topics_primary: community_programs
