Baker’s Rainbow Bridge will open in Beckenholdt Park this month.
GREENFIELD – A grand opening and dedication ceremony for Baker’s Rainbow Bridge will be at at 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at Beckenholdt Park.
The event, hosted by Greenfield Parks and Recreation, will celebrate a three-month fundraising campaign for the bridge, and will also pay tribute to the bridge in North Carolina that inspired the project. That bridge was recently washed away by Hurricane Helene.
The city’s parks department provided space in Beckenholdt Park next to Rovers Run Bark Park and took on the construction phase that was completed on September 20. Finishing touches of paint, the mural, and more have been provided by volunteers and those closest to the project. Signage will be up in the coming weeks, according to a press release from the department.
The park is located at 2770 N. Franklin St., Greenfield.
Baker’s Rainbow Bridge was an idea brought to the parks department in early 2024 after Greenfield resident Dawn Hanson visited a rainbow bridge in Lake Lure, North Carolina to memorialize her beloved pet Baker who had recently passed away. The rainbow bridge is a legendary passage believed to link Heaven and Earth. It’s seen as a place where bereaved pet owners can be reunited forever with their lost furry companions. Many pet owners refer to “going over the rainbow bridge” when they disclose the death of a beloved pet on social media.
Recently, Hurricane Helene devastated parts of North Carolina including the Rainbow Bridge at Lake Lure. It was washed away in its entirety. The upcoming ceremony will acknowledge that devastation with a renewed sense of sympathy and awareness for those who made that journey to Lake Lure. For them and for their pet’s memory, a moment of silence will be observed.
In conjunction with the Rainbow Bridge dedication, the parks department will introduce families to the perks of our 2-acre dog park. The Rovers Howl-o-Ween event is from 2-4 p.m. on the same day. Parks will host a vendor area full of pet-related businesses and organizations. There will also be a pet costume contest with awards for best costumed small, medium, and large breed dogs. Visit facebook.com/greenfieldparks for updates.
