Giant troll sculpture by Danish artist arrives in Charlotte
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Big Pete is made up of recycled wood including construction waste from The River District. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo's troll has been installed at The River District, one of Charlotte's largest master-planned developments.
Why it matters: The west Charlotte statue is part of Dambo's North Carolina "troll family," which includes five statues in Raleigh's Dix Park and another in High Point.
Driving the news: The Charlotte troll, called "Big Pete with the Big Feet," debuts Saturday, Nov. 8 and is free to visit at The River District's main trailhead.
- The statue was constructed from recycled wood sourced from the surrounding community and the Catawba River region.
Zoom in: Big Pete stands 65 feet tall and was designed to remind visitors that every step leaves a mark, a statement from The River District and Crescent Communities reads. The message urges everyone to tread lightly and live in balance with nature.
Zoom out: The River District, where Big Pete is located, spans 1,400 acres along the Catawba River and has been recognized as a One Planet Living Leaders community — a rare U.S. sustainability designation.
- The development preserves more than 500 acres of natural space, making it a fitting home for Dambo's eco-minded art.
The big picture: More than 100 of Dambo's creations can be found across five continents, with the latest North Carolina collection being the largest in the country.
- Starting Nov. 15, The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville will debut "Trolls: A Field Study," a temporary exhibition featuring 12 interactive trolls.
Stop by: Find Big Pete near the intersection of River District Drive and Crescent River Road in the development. Here's a map of all the trolls.
- Visitors are encouraged to use street parking.
