Rainbow bridge for pets proposed in Greenbrook Adventure Park

In a poem called “Rainbow Bridge,” pets wait there for their owners after they die, and when the best friends meet again, the pair cross the bridge together. 

If Summerfield resident Cliff Kaplan’s proposal is approved by the Community Development District 4, Greenbrook Adventure Park will have its own rainbow bridge. 

Kaplan identified five footbridges across Lakewood Ranch, two of which are in Adventure Park. He said the bridge adjacent to the dog park in Adventure Park is under construction and gets too much foot traffic for a rainbow bridge project. 

But the other, located on the entry road just before it ends at the dog park, is a lesser-used foot bridge. The Wolf Slough bridge only serves a few neighborhoods in Greenbrook and it's tucked into the trees and slightly out of view.

As serene as the spot is, it’s not secluded. There’s plenty of parking because Adventure Park hosts large events like the Celtic Festival each year. The bridge certainly won’t attract that kind of traffic, but Kaplan told the board to expect visitors from beyond Lakewood Ranch.

Kaplan’s proposal is modeled after another rainbow bridge in Lake Lure, North Carolina. The deck of the bridge would be painted in rainbow colors and grieving pet owners would leave their pets’ collars on the railings.

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The inspiration for Kaplan's proposal is Travis, a 90-pound pit bull, boxer and Great Dane mix, who looked intimidating at first glance, but seemingly was born to comfort those around him. Travis died May 19 at 14 years old.

“I was going to give him back (after originally bringing him home) because I couldn’t take care of a puppy," Kaplan said. "I had developed colitis and cancer.

"But he stopped (acting like) a puppy at 5 months. Like in a movie, he just waited for me to be ready to take him out, whether it was 20 minutes or all night, so he became a therapy dog for me.”

Once Kaplan was in remission, he took Travis to a therapy dog organization to get him certified as an official therapy dog. Travis went on to visit with children in schools and hospitals. In June, Blake Hospital in Bradenton honored Travis by placing a memorial stone with his name in its garden.

Gina Sundaram, a friend of the Kaplans and owner of Animal House Doggie Bed and Breakfast in Sarasota, visits Lake Lure annually. 

She had told Kaplan that she would hang Travis' collar there if he wanted.

Kaplan was so touched that he put together the proposal for Greenbrook and presented it to the CDD on July 10. 

Sundaram said the bridge in Lake Lure is significantly smaller than the bridge in Greenbrook, but it still gives a dramatic feel. 

Overall, the idea was well received by the board. Only two possible problems were discussed — the structure of the railings over time and people who might object to the rainbow colors being associated with the LGBTQ community. 

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Secretary Bonnie Sidiski said she gave two little girls rainbow rings that were mistaken for pride rings, and she said it unintentionally created a problem. 

“This touches my heart so deeply. I love animals,” she said. “So I hate to even say it, but there are people that are going to have feelings, and I’m so sorry that this is the way it is.”

After discussion, signage seemed to be an easy solution. The bridge would be clearly marked as a place to remember pets. 

Kaplan offered to set up a GoFundMe account to pay for the project. He also spoke with the president of the dog park and has plenty of volunteers to do the work if need be. 

Tom Merrell, director of operations for the Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority, had no issue with the cost or durability of the painting portion of the project. The paint would be inexpensive and hold up to the weather with a sealant. 

“Anything that would occur with the railing, that would be my real concern over time,” Merrell said. “They’ll be covered with leashes.” 

The weight could cause the railing to deteriorate ahead of schedule. 

Photo by Lesley Dwyer

The board’s only other question was what the residents would think of the project. 

Kaplan had numerous neighbors offer to attend the meeting with him, but he didn’t want to put pressure on the board. He wanted the project to be approved on its own merits. 

“I kind of like the idea,” Chairman Michael Griffin said. “I think it adds a little bit of a different flair, but I can be convinced otherwise.” 

The board will meet on August 21 at 10:15 a.m. to revisit the proposal. The public is invited to attend.