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Life Scout wins approval for 'rainbow bridge' pet memorial at Westside Park
Summary
Life Scout Braxton Riemer presented an Eagle Scout proposal to build and paint a ‘rainbow bridge’ at Westside Park’s back bridge next to the dog park as a pet memorial; the Park Board approved the project and encouraged periodic repainting and maintenance.
Braxton Riemer, a Life Scout from Troop 621, told the Greenwood Park Board he plans to build a "rainbow bridge" at the back bridge by Westside Park’s dog park as his Eagle Scout project. "My Eagle project is going to be a rainbow bridge, which is a bridge to represent animals that have passed away," he said, adding that people could hang collars on the bridge to memorialize pets.
Board members and staff discussed location and materials, and staff said they had met with Riemer and supported the proposed placement next to the dog park. Riemer described the work as a compact construction effort: "for the core processes of building a bench in the loading area, planting flowers, and painting the bridge, it shouldn't take more than a 3-day process, but then time for the paint to dry and come back." He also said he would plan periodic repainting every three to four years.
Park staff confirmed the bench would sit on the east side of the entry from the parking lot rather than the creek bank and that small modifications—metal bars on the side for hanging collars, a painted rainbow finish, and an explanatory sign—were planned. The board moved to approve the project; the motion (moved by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. Dietrich) passed on recorded voice votes.
The approval allows Riemer to proceed with construction and painting under staff guidance. The board did not set a detailed timeline beyond Riemer’s estimate; he said he expects to do the work over the summer and will coordinate final scheduling and materials with staff.
