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Why There Is a Pink Bridge in West Virginia

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Real Estate Shows

Huntington, Ritter Park, Pink BridgeWe have a pink bridge in Huntington.  It might take some people by surprise, but around here we know what it means. 

A guy named Jason Sansom painted one of the bridges at Ritter Park pink to raise awareness about breast cancer.  It makes a subtle statement, and personally I like it and what it stands for.

A lot of other people were not amused.  They were offended by the color, they thought it was inappropriate in that setting and they thought it might lower property values. 

There was a lot of back and forth, a little debate among local politicians and then some national news coverage.  This little visual statement went a long way.

This weekend I took my family to Ritter Park.  It was our first visit there, and I will admit that the reason I wanted to go was to see the pink bridge.  We have nice parks closer to home, but I only know of one pink bridge.  And as I have friends fighting their own battles, I wanted a photo of that bridge

I like the quiet reminder. 

I thought it was a lovely, pale pink.  In my pictures it’s nearly white.  I can’t see it as offensive, and can’t imagine that it would drop property values. 

I hope the bridge will stay pink.  They’ve said it will through 2007, but after that I don’t know.  I think it made a nice landmark, and I liked taking my family there and explaining to them why a bridge would be pink. 

Ritter Park was lovely and I have more pictures that I will share later.  The main point of our trip was the bridge, so I wanted to show that first. 

Comments (18)

Suzanne Sands
Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA
Somerset MA Real Estate

Hi Sarah,

What a beautiful statement that bridge makes, I hope it stays! :)

Sep 24, 2007 08:38 AM
Lysa Napolitano
Daytona Beach, FL
If I was a resident I would vote to keep it pink too!
Sep 24, 2007 08:44 AM
Jennifer Monroe
Indigo Home Team powered by Compass - Charlotte, NC
Real Estate REALTOR®/Broker/Designer

It's a lovely bridge and a very moving tribute to a wonderful cause. It's hard to imagine that people would admit that their greed exceeds the needs of the greater good. Beauty is NOT two dimensional.

Thanks for sharing! I miss West Virginia :) 

Sep 24, 2007 08:56 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
This is a terrific, quiet testimony and I also hope they leave it pink.  If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have assumed it was offwhite from the photo.  Too many women are lost to breast cancer, which as I understand it is one of the more preventable forms of cancer.
Sep 24, 2007 09:17 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life
People are freaking ridiculous.  Get over yourselves already!  I say keep it pink, if you're offended....too bad!
Sep 24, 2007 09:19 AM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Suzanne - I hope it stays, too.  They may not realize the people who travel to see the bridge, and then stay to spend a fortune on books and lunch.  (Like we did!)

Lysa - Perhaps there should be an online petition??  :o)

Jennifer - The nearby homes are beautiful and full of character.  It would be a dream come true if I could own one of them!  I can understand their concern about their property values, however I just can't see a single thing wrong with the bridge.  I loved it.  LOVED it.

Jason C - It was easier to see as pink in person, but with the sun I guess it was hard for the camera to see it the way I did.  It was slightly more pink in person (obviously not white) but still not a glaring color choice.  I think it looked beautiful in it's setting, and I was happy to see it and share it.

Jason S - :o)  People ARE freaking ridiculous.  It's beautiful in pink.  I do hope it stays that way.  

Sep 24, 2007 09:29 AM
Paul Slaybaugh
Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate
Let's see:  A reminder about a terrible plague on society which needs our attention to be eradicated versus those who are turned off by light pink.  Tough call ... if you are a heartless moron.  Judging by the picture, it's not as if it sits right on top of someone's house.  How would this harm local values?  So, sorry if pink offends some dufus' sensibilities, but I say let it be.
Sep 24, 2007 09:56 AM
Shannon Lefevre
John R. Wood Properties - Naples, FL
Shannon Lefevre, PA Your Naples Smart Girl
Somebody was offended by the color pink?  I'm appalled! What a sweet gesture!
Sep 24, 2007 09:58 AM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN

Pink. Good cause. Good color. Still have a pink dress shirt...brings out the blue in my eyes. I have choice words for those who don't like the pink bridge...propriety prevents me from printing them here.

Jay 

Sep 24, 2007 11:23 AM
Tricia Jumonville
Bradfield Properties - Georgetown, TX
Texas REALTOR , Agent With Horse Sense

Frankly, for me, the presence of people who get all worked up and think their property values will be reduced by something that isn't absolutely ticky tacky the same lowers the value of any property they might live near.  But that's me. 

Lovely bridge, lovely idea.  

Sep 24, 2007 11:24 AM
Diane Velikis
Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA
Luzerne County Real Estate
Sarah, I hope the pink bridge stays! Didn't they raise a stink over The Golden Gate Bridge?
Sep 24, 2007 11:44 AM
Bob Carney
Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales - Mc Henry, MD
Licensed MD/PA Real Estate Agent
Cancer Sucks
Sep 24, 2007 02:28 PM
Ashley Drake Gephart
Drake Intel Group - Albuquerque, NM
I love the idea of a pink bridge. I was thinking it was going to be bright like pepto pink but in the photo it is so light I can't image why anyone could be offended. I think it is beautiful!
Sep 24, 2007 04:41 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Sarah:  Yes, the last time I drove over that bridge, I did notice it was pink.  I just assumed that you painted it to match one of your Spring outfits !  <grin>

What a great way to raise awareness for fighting breast cancer.  My vote is to keep the color.  No question.  I am amazed that anyone could complain.  In fact, I might even suggest that someone take a picture of you either sitting or standing on the bridge, and then post it in local papers as a way to raise awareness... seriously ! 

Or, you might have a local 5K breast cancer awareness "run"... and have the bridge be the "finish line"... and the slogan could be... "Cross the Bridge to Fight Breast Cancer."  Just a thought from my silly ol' brain.

Sep 24, 2007 07:26 PM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Paul - I couldn't see it hurting values either.  Those houses are beautiful, the bridge is lovely -- no harm done.  And it's drawing in people (like me) who want to see it, show their families and share the story.

Shannon - I know!  Who would have thought!

Granddad - My husband had a pink shirt years ago, he looked really good in it, too.  

Tricia - It IS lovely, isn't it?  

Diane -  Did they?  I didn't know.  I do hope the bridge stays pink, but who knows.  That's some of the city's wealthiest people around that bridge, they may have some sway.

Bob - True.

Ashley - It's a subtle pink, something you'd think people wouldn't have any trouble living with.

Karen - I don't have a picture of me ON the bridge, but here's me WITH it.

Sarah at Pink Bridge

There's a jogging trail that goes right under the bridge, I'm standing on part of it.

I love the idea of a breast cancer awareness run that ends at the bridge.  I wonder if they have anything like that?? 

Sep 24, 2007 08:44 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Sarah:  If they don't have a "run" like that, maybe they're waiting for you to create and promote one.  What a great idea for you to heighten breast cancer awareness... both where the bridge is located... where ever that is, AND in Hurricane.  Whaddya think ?  Just an idea.  You seem like such an energized person, I would think it would be a "natural" for you.

Sep 24, 2007 09:07 PM
Tom Burris
NMLS# 335055 - Baton Rouge, LA
Texas/Louisiana Mortgage Pro - 13 YRS Experience

I really enjoy all of the pictures you post in your blogs. Some very pretty places out there. We are mostly flat in the Dallas area. :(

And I like the pink bridge

Sep 25, 2007 06:49 AM
Trace Galle
Designs by Trace - Kelowna, BC

Hi Sarah,

I love the idea of a pink bridge! Jason was thinking outside of the box. Hopefully the bridge will remain pink!!

 

Sep 25, 2007 09:09 AM