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Wauwatosa is now home to something truly magical: Mama Rosa, a 25-foot recycled-wood troll created by internationally known Danish artist Thomas Dambo. It’s the first Dambo troll in Wisconsin, one of the artist’s personal favorites, and the only illuminated troll he has ever made.
Families from all over southeastern Wisconsin are already stopping by Firefly Grove Park to meet this whimsical giant — and she’s quickly becoming one of the region’s most photogenic outdoor art spots.
Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
Where to Find Mama Rosa
📍 Firefly Grove Park
116th Street & Gilbert Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI
This new natural-wooded park is the perfect backdrop for Mama Rosa. Wide paved paths, open green spaces, and a huge accessible playground make it easy for families to explore.
What’s nearby?
You’re minutes from Wauwatosa Village, coffee shops, family-friendly restaurants, and several must-visit playgrounds.
What Makes Mama Rosa Unique?
1. She’s the first illuminated troll in the world
Mama Rosa holds a bouquet of glowing flowers — repurposed streetlights from the Wauwatosa Department of Public Works.
Around the park, you’ll find “snapped” light posts where she’s plucked these luminous flowers. Kids have a blast spotting them.
2. She’s one of Dambo’s personal favorites
Her head was carved in Denmark and flown to Milwaukee, while her body was built entirely with local materials.
3. She’s massive
- 25 feet tall
- 4,000 pounds
- Built by 120 volunteers
- A collaborative effort totaling 1,200 work hours
Firefly Grove truly feels like a storybook scene with her standing guard.
4. She comes with her own poem
Visitors will find a whimsical poem near the sculpture — a signature Dambo touch that adds mystery and character:
“There’s something funny with these flowers…
And when the sun sleeps, these flowers glow.
I wonder how these flowers grow.”
Who Is Thomas Dambo?
Thomas Dambo is one of the world’s most recognized recycled-material artists, famous for building giant trolls from salvaged wood and scrap materials.
His trolls appear across:
- Europe
- Asia
- Australia
- North America
Over 50 million people have visited his works worldwide.
His mission:
“I like to find something with no value and give it value.”
Mama Rosa is especially meaningful to him because she is a completely recycled troll — built from discarded trees and materials sourced right in Wauwatosa.
What Families Will Love
- Free to visit
- Easy paved paths for strollers and wheelchairs
- Huge playground and pump track
- Natural wooded setting perfect for exploring
- Great for photos year-round
- A gentle, low-key adventure for all ages
This is the kind of place families return to through the seasons.
Tips for Visiting With Kids
- Go earlier in the day for lighter crowds.
- Stay on paved paths in muddy seasons.
- Bring snacks — kids often want extra time to explore.
- Check the weather; the wooded area can be buggy in summer, and bees have been reported!
- Look for the “snapped” light posts — kids love finding them!
Make It a Full Wauwatosa Adventure
If you want to explore more while you’re here, great family options nearby include:
- Little Village Play Café
- Joy Ice Cream
- Hart Park playground and trails
- Tosa Village restaurants and coffee shops
And to keep the fun going:
- Free Things To Do With Kids in Milwaukee
- Most Instagrammable Spots in Milwaukee
- Must-Visit Playgrounds Around Milwaukee
- 10 Stunning Milwaukee Murals Your Kids Will Love
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
