A meaningful new landmark is coming to the Mile Square City. A local coalition has announced the Rainbow Bridge Memorial Project, a community-driven installation planned for Elysian Park (1001 Hudson Street) designed to offer residents a permanent space to honor and remember their late animal companions.
The project is a collaborative effort involving The Local Girl Media Group, the City of Hoboken, WISE Animal Rescue, and a dedicated Senior Design team from Stevens Institute of Technology.
The initiative was founded by Jennifer Tripucka, creator and publisher of The Hoboken Girl, who drew inspiration from her personal experience with pet loss.
“This project is incredibly personal to me,” Tripucka said. “Our pets are family and walk with us through every season of life, so when we lose them, the grief is real and lasting. I wanted to create something meaningful for our community—a place that acknowledges that love and gives everyone a gathering place to reflect, remember, and heal.”
Design and engineering by Stevens Institute
Bringing the structural vision to life is a specialized Senior Design team from Stevens Institute of Technology. As part of their academic capstone coursework, the students are working alongside licensed Professional Engineer Jamie Silva, P.E., to ensure the bridge is both an artistic centerpiece and a sound structural addition to the park’s landscape.
Planned features of the memorial include:
- Vibrant Rainbow Elements: Artistic details inspired by the diversity of pets in the community.
- A Symbolic Tradition: Visitors will be invited to leave their pets’ collars on the bridge as a gesture of remembrance.
- Natural Integration: The pedestrian structure is designed to blend seamlessly into the existing beauty of Elysian Park.
How to Support the Project
To cover the costs of materials, construction, and professional installation, the committee has launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $10,000. The campaign has seen immediate local support, raising over $4,000 in its first few days.
In a move to further support local animal welfare, any funds raised beyond the construction costs will be donated directly to WISE Animal Rescue, a Hoboken-based volunteer nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehoming pets.
The project has garnered significant support from local leadership, including Mayor Emily Jabbour and Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, who are guiding the community engagement process. Programmatic support is being led by Eiko La Boria of The Flow Initiative, with additional pet loss guidance provided by Dr. Lisa Lippman.
