A special and moving addition is being added to the David M. Lucas Dog Park in Belmont County.

The new Rainbow Bridge will be unveiled at 10 a.m., Thursday, August 21, 2025, at the dog park. The Rainbow Bridge is being installed in memory of Shirlee Farkas, by her family, to honor her avid and lifelong love of all animals.

“Any animal lover who has lost a beloved pet is familiar with the Rainbow Bridge, a symbolic reference to the place where pets cross into eternity. When a pet dies, it is said to cross the Rainbow Bridge into a beautiful, peaceful place where it is healthy and happy again, awaiting the day it can be reunited with its owner in a comforting poem that is often shared with people grieving the loss of a pet,” as stated by Kait Hanlon on Oct. 1 in Southern Living Magazine.

“The Rainbow Bridge at the dog park is meant to be used much like the one that was located at Lake Lure, North Carolina. The Lake Lure Rainbow Bridge had collars, leashes, tags and other mementos of beloved deceased pets attached to the bridge”, notes Sherri VanTassel, daughter of Shirlee Farkas. Unfortunately, Hurricane Helene destroyed the Lure Lake bridge when it was washed away from flooding, taking with it the physical memories of so many beloved lost pets.

The family of Shirlee Farkas funded the majority of the cost of the Rainbow Bridge, with additional contributions from community supporters. “Community donations are always being accepted to continually maintain and improve our dog park, stated David Lucas. Lucas and VanTassel created a charitable organization, “The David M. Lucas Dog Park & Recreation Fund, Inc.” to ensure the ongoing quality of the dog park. “We have some planned improvements for the dog park and the surrounding area”, noted Lucas. “The charitable organization allows us to provide tax deductions for charitable donations to support our efforts on behalf of our community.”

Lucas, VanTassel, and the board of the charitable organization have been busy with future plans. Lucas and VanTassel have worked with the Belmont County Commissioners to apply for another Natureworks grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to build a fenced, accessible, vibrant playground adjacent to the dog park.

The organization is currently selling raffle tickets for five bottles of high end, collector’s bourbon, a box of prime cigars, humidor, two cut glass tumblers and bourbon rocks. Tickets are $20 each and only 500 tickets are being sold. The winning ticket will be pulled when all 500 tickets are sold. Tickets can be purchased by messaging the Belmont County Dog Park/David M. Lucas Dog Park Facebook page or contacting VanTassel at 304-479-8098.

The organization has planned a Canine Fall Festival for Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the dog park. This is a family friendly event with food trucks, craft/product vendors, various activities, 50/50 drawing, silent auction, canine costume parade, and a backdrop for family and pet photos. Additionally, the organization will be having a dog photo contest starting in September, with the 12 winning dogs’ images being used in a 2026 calendar to raise funds for the dog park. “This is a chance to showcase your favorite pet and support the continual improvement of the park”, stated VanTassel. “Rules will be published soon on our Facebook page and our soon to be launched website.”

“I continue to be honored by the community’s support of the dog park,” according to Lucas. “It is our sincere hope that the community will participate in all of the listed events and activities.

“If we are lucky enough to be awarded the second Natureworks grant, the area surrounding the dog park will become even more inviting and family focused.”