Troll Sculptures, Like 'Big Rusty,' Spreading Through Burlington County's Outdoor Spaces

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — A massive trash troll is bringing her friends to Burlington County's parks and outdoor destinations. They'll make themselves at home by the end of the month.

The sculptures were inspired by "Big Rusty," a 20-foot troll made of recycled trash who sits outside an abandoned factory in Hainesport — the site of a future park. She was created by Danish artist and recycling activist Thomas Dambo, whose troll sculptures can be found throughout the world.

Big Rusty, who promotes recycling and sustainability, has become a popular attraction. Later this month, 18 new trolls will spread her environmentalist ideals in parks, downtowns and outdoor spaces around Burlington County.

The new creations will be part of the Burington County Troll Trek, a public-art initiative. Two of the trolls will be introduced Sept. 28 at Burlington County’s Arts After Dark festival in Smithville Park, Eastampton. By then, all 18 trolls are expected to be set up in their respective locations, a county spokesperson told Patch.

"We were honored that Thomas Dambo selected Burlington County to be the location of one of his famous troll statues and we’re excited to welcome his new friends," said County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. "We hope Burlington County residents and visitors will seek them all out and become inspired themselves to create art and protect our natural environment."

Sixteen artists and teams of artists are creating the new trolls after submitting designs to the Burlington County Parks System. Artists were encouraged to use natural and/or recycled materials for their sculptures, which must be at least 4 feet tall. The designs must differ from Dambo's work.

The county awarded a $500 stipend to each artist and team for materials and installation expenses.

The trolls, locations and their creators are:

• “Big Rusty”; future Creek Turn Park, Hainesport; Created by Thomas Dambo
• “Gracie the Garden Troll”; Historic Smithville Park, Eastampton; Created by Norma and John Neimeister.
• “Troll on a Stroll”; Historic Smithville Park, Eastampton; Created by KT Carney.
• “Retlaw”; Mount Holly location; Created by Julie Park and Adam Pietras.
• Unnamed Troll; Mount Holly location; Created by Lowell Doerr.
• “Weft”; Rancocas Valley Regional High School Annex, Mount Holly; Created by Cassie Jones.
• “Woody”; Rancocas Nature Center, Westampton; Created by Jason Brown.
• “Pipsqueak”; Burlington County Amphitheater, Westampton; Created by Maya Sorhage.
• “Melinda”; Country Village Playground, Lumberton; Created by Jennifer Hildebrand.
• “Flora”; Medford location; Created by Carmen and Eduardo Jimenez.
• “Sally McScraps”; Elbo Park, Mount Laurel; Created by Marc Tous, Fred Poinsett and Steven Thorpe.
• “Noelle the Troll”; Burlington County Amphitheater; Created by Marc Tous, Fred Poinsett and Steven Thorpe.
• Unnamed Troll; Delanco location; Created by Jason Miller.
• “Visser”; Burlington City location; Created by Peter Bieling.
• “The Art Troll”; Burlington City location; Created by Michael Kane.
• “Rily the Abilities Troll”; Burlington City location; Created by Julie Deluccy.
• “Edward”; Bordentown City location; Created by John Canon.
• “Kevin”; Juliustown Park, Springfield; Created by Meg and Miles Simon
• “Tommy the Tetanus Troll”; Arney’s Mount Park, Springfield; Created by Marc Tous, Fred Poinsett and Steven Thorpe.

The trolls and their approximate locations are highlighted in the Burlington County Parks Fall Program Guide.

The initiative was funded by the Burlington County Commissioners and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, with support from the following co-sponsors: Mill Race Village, Main Street Mount Holly, Rancocas Valley High School Environmental Club, Rancocas Nature Center, Township of Lumberton, Delanco Environmental Advisory Board and Delanco Recreation Commission, Arts Guild New Jersey, Rising Sun Counseling Service, Bordentown City Environmental Commission and Springfield Township.

Big Rusty is made of a rusty metal roof, a plywood attic, a concrete wall, wood and electrical equipment. She sits outside the abandoned Creek Turn Ceramic factory — the site of Hainesport's future Creek Turn Park.