Retired Couple Finds Adventure in Pursuit of Wooden Troll Sculptures
A journey of curiosity has led Kathy and John Hadley far from their Ohio home, to an enchanting 12-acre park in Wauwatosa. This is their second visit within a year, drawn by the allure of a towering wooden troll known as Mama Rosa.
Created by renowned artist Thomas Dambo, Mama Rosa is a 25-foot tall sculpture that captures the imagination of visitors. Kathy and John first encountered a Dambo troll while driving through Texas to see their son. “And now it’s just become kind of like a thing that we do, where we keep our eyes open for where there are new trolls,” Kathy shared. “And it’s just so neat to go exploring.”
For the Hadleys, this hobby has unlocked new destinations they might never have considered. After visiting Mama Rosa, they plan to head to New Glarus, known for its exclusive Wisconsin beer, Spotted Cow. “You can only get your Spotted Cow in Wisconsin, so I have to pick up some Wisconsin beer when I come through here,” John noted.
Wauwatosa’s Mama Rosa, introduced to the public in May 2025, is the first of its kind in Wisconsin. The town of Mount Pleasant is preparing for its own troll, expected to be completed next year. The exact location remains under wraps, adding to the intrigue. “It’s kind of a little bit of a secret, and I think it kind of brings that mystical aspect to how he represents himself in the aspects of all of the troll builds,” said Matt Prochaska, tourism manager for Enjoy Mount Pleasant.
Thomas Dambo, a Danish artist, has crafted over 175 troll sculptures worldwide from recycled materials and downed trees. The village of Mount Pleasant reports that these creations draw over 4 million visitors each year.
Mama Rosa’s construction in Wauwatosa utilized local trees and old city light poles, attracting more than 192,000 park visits from June 2025 to March 2026, according to tourism specialist Beth Gleesing. Visitors hailed from 48 states, including Washington D.C., with a notable 122,000 visits from outside the city.
“Dambo troll hunters are quite passionate people, and they will definitely travel to see trolls,” Gleesing explained. Enthusiasts often track the number of trolls they’ve visited, with the Hadleys’ current tally at 54. Their next stop is Elk Horn, Iowa, which will bring them to 55. “So it’s a little bit of an obsession, but it’s harmless,” Kathy admitted.
In Clinton, Iowa, three Dambo trolls and a secret art installation recently opened, attracting eager visitors. Matthew Parbs of Grow Clinton noted the positive economic impact, saying, “We invested for the long term impact.”
Gleesing anticipates that the Mount Pleasant troll will similarly boost tourism. “We know the troll hunters will plan road trips around visiting the trolls, so having two within a reasonable proximity is going to allow those folks to be like, ‘Hey, bonus, right. Not only can I plan a trip to see a troll, but I can really easily see two and cross two off my bucket list,’” she said.
In 2024, tourism contributed $25.8 billion to Wisconsin’s economy. “Clearly, tourism as a whole is driving the economy in the state,” Gleesing remarked. “And so it’s really fantastic to know that the city of Wauwatosa and the Thomas Dambo sculpture is contributing to that and seeing that visitation that I do think will only continue to amplify with the introduction of the Mount Pleasant troll in 2027.”
Mount Pleasant’s troll project, funded by the village’s hotel room tax, comes with a $500,000 price tag. The aim is to bolster tourism in the village of approximately 27,000 residents. “This troll will welcome thousands of people to visit and experience Mount Pleasant,” Village President David DeGroot stated. “Those visitors will support our local businesses, explore our parks, and discover everything that makes this community special.”
Kathy has already set her sights on another Wisconsin trip next year to see the new Mount Pleasant troll. “Absolutely, we’re gonna be back,” she affirmed.
