Bolen, a lifelong dog lover, had been working on the project for more than a year before it became a reality (Photo: Wgcu news)
The memorial opened on Saturday after Bolen spent about 18 months planning, fundraising and working with local businesses and community members to turn her idea into a physical space where visitors can leave collars and tags in honour of their pets.
A place to remember lost pets
The Alliance sees the project as part of its wider ArtsPark initiative, which aims to create arts, nature and community experiences across its 10-acre campus.
“What started as a simple idea grew into something much larger than I ever imagined,” Bolen said in a prepared statement. Bolen said the community support helped make the memorial something larger than the original idea. “The Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial is creating a place where residents and visitors can experience the arts alongside nature as a source of healing, connection, and enjoyment right in the heart of Fort Myers,” Volz said. “The Alliance is honoured to be the home of this special space.”
“This bridge truly was built by a community of people who understand how deeply our pets become part of our families. Bolen spent more than a year working on planning, making connections and fundraising for the project. After the groundbreaking ceremony in August, local businesses and community members helped turn the plan into a completed memorial. The Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial is now a permanent part of the Alliance for the Arts campus.
