09/09/2026
HOLLAND, Mich.: Holland now has a rainbow bridge, but this one was built for a very different kind of crossing.
Mike and Roberta Mitchell created the Holland Area Pet Memorial after experiencing the loss of beloved pets themselves. The colorful bridge is based on the familiar idea of a pet “crossing the rainbow bridge,” but here it gives families a real place to stop, remember, grieve, and celebrate the animals that became part of their lives.
The memorial is open to anyone mourning a pet, not just dogs and cats. Visitors can leave something on the memorial fence or purchase an engraved brick, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit’s work.
Mike Mitchell told WLNS that 30 to 50 people a day have already been stopping by, helped by the memorial’s location along the main route toward Holland State Park. The couple says support has come from across Michigan, including people planning trips specifically to honor pets they have lost.
A few practical details:
* Location: South end of 168th Street, south of Ottawa Beach Road
* Setting: Between Department of Natural Resources property and Bay View Association property
* Access: Handicap accessible
* Parking: Street parking along Ottawa Beach Road
The memorial was built with community help. Forged by Design donated labor and materials for the railing, while Bosch’s Landscaping, the Lake Michigan Crematorium for Pets, and local artist Carolyn Stich also supported the project.
The Mitchells hope to expand the space with an archway entrance and pollinator garden.
For a state full of people who know pets are family, Holland has created a place that gives that grief somewhere visible, peaceful, and shared to go.
