S.M.A.R.T. and Palm Coast Dedicate Rainbow Bridge Memorial at Holland Park

S.M.A.R.T. and the City of Palm Coast have unveiled the Rainbow Bridge at Holland Park, a new memorial dedicated to honoring the lives of cherished family pets.

 

Located at 18 North Florida Park Drive, the bridge offers a serene space for residents to reflect on the joy their pets brought into their lives.

 

The dedication ceremony, held on January 17, 2026, saw a gathering of city officials, community members, and pet lovers.

 

Caroline Johnson, founder of S.M.A.R.T. (Saving Missing Animals Response Team), expressed her gratitude for the collaborative effort that brought the project to fruition.

 

"This wouldn’t have happened without the amazing animal lovers that support our rescue day in and day out," Johnson said.

 

She highlighted the two-year journey to realize the vision of a dedicated space for pet remembrance.

 

Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri delivered remarks acknowledging the profound bond between people and their pets.

 

She noted that she personally lost three pets in the past year and recently adopted a puppy from S.M.A.R.T.

 

"We gather today not because the pain of losing our furry companions has left us, but because their love refuses to," Pontieri said.

 

She emphasized the unconditional love pets provide, stating, "They gave us something humans rarely managed to give so purely: unconditional presence and love."

 

Mayor Mike Norris and Council Member Ty Miller joined Pontieri in reading an official proclamation declaring January 17, 2026, as Rainbow Bridge Day in Palm Coast.

 

The proclamation recognized the memorial as "a place of remembrance, reflection, and healing for residents who wish to honor the pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge."

 

The bridge was constructed by PWC Builds, a local construction company.

 

They designed a "river" of gravel under the bridge and completed the landscaping, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere of the memorial.

 

Community members can honor their pets by purchasing custom-engraved tags to be placed on the Rainbow Bridge.

 

Each tag bears a pet’s name as a lasting tribute.

 

Proceeds from the tags support S.M.A.R.T.'s ongoing animal rescue and recovery operations in Flagler County.

 

For more information about S.M.A.R.T. and the Rainbow Bridge Project, visit their website.