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All the United States Rhode Island Charlestown The Troll Statues of Ninigret Park
AO Edited

The Troll Statues of Ninigret Park

Tucked away in the forest, these giant wooden trolls delight visitors in Charlestown, Rhode Island.

Charlestown, Rhode Island

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May 2024. Spring time with Trolls   Ragnar of Ballard / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Nestled in Ninigret Park, a wooded area in America’s smallest state, two giant troll statues entice visitors into the forest. These wonderfully weird guardians of the woods, one lounging and another seated, are each is made of thousands of pieces of recycled wood cobbled together to form giant but seemingly friendly monsters with exaggerated features. Part of the joy is the search, as neither troll is along the road. Rather, visitors have to wander down dirt paths and push past tree branches to find these strange statues, named Erik Rock and Greta Granite respectively.

These trolls are the brainchild of Danish artist Thomas Dambo, a magical realist artist whose whimsical, environmentally conscious installations feature fantastical creatures that blend harmoniously into their surroundings. Dambo has created wooden creatures all over the world, including China, Ireland, Chile, and France. In Ninigret Park, the trolls were assembled with the help of local volunteers, following Dambo’s commitment to involving the community in his art.

While seemingly out of place in an otherwise standard Rhode Island park, these benevolent monsters are just the start of an exciting local initiative. The area tourism board hopes that these two gentle giants will be the start of a public art trail to attract visitors to South County. They have commissioned three more statues that are currently under construction. At least one will be installed in this verdant park before the end of the year, and the others are slated to be built on site in 2025.

Whether you're a local or a curious traveler, Ninigret Park’s troll statues are a family-friendly must-see for anyone with a love for the whimsically bizarre. Next time you’re in Charlestown, Rhode Island, make sure to pay these wooden forest guardians a visit.

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Recycling Statues Trolls Parks

Know Before You Go

Both trolls are off Ninigret Park’s main road, down marked dirt trails that go into a brush area. One is directly on the path that circles Little Ninigret Pond, and the other is three minutes down a trail off the road marked with a small wooden sign that says “troll.” The area is muddy in the rainy season and poison ivy is prevalent. For the best experience, wear closed toed shoes. As indicated on the signs, climbing on the trolls is forbidden.

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sydneyliv

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afink, Ragnar of Ballard

  • afink
  • Ragnar of Ballard

Published

October 1, 2024

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  • https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/good-news/2024/04/29/giant-troll-statues-by-thomas-dambo-will-soon-be-unveiled-in-ninigret-park-charlestown-rhode-island/73467451007/
  • https://www.southcountyri.com/thomas-dambo-trolls/
  • https://www.thomasdambo.com/
The Troll Statues of Ninigret Park
65 Park Ln
Charlestown, Rhode Island, 02813
United States
41.366163, -71.65948
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Fantastic Umbrella Factory

Charlestown, Rhode Island

miles away

Great Swamp Fight Monument

South Kingstown, Rhode Island

miles away

Living Sharks Museum

Westerly, Rhode Island

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rhode Island

Rhode Island

United States

Places 75
Stories 3

Nearby Places

The Fantastic Umbrella Factory

Charlestown, Rhode Island

miles away

Great Swamp Fight Monument

South Kingstown, Rhode Island

miles away

Living Sharks Museum

Westerly, Rhode Island

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rhode Island

Rhode Island

United States

Places 75
Stories 3

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