The Stanwood-Camano Troll has the City of Stanwood behind it. On September 23, 2026, Mayor Sid Roberts sent a letter on behalf of the City to the project's steering committee, saying the City is pleased to support the effort to bring a Thomas Dambo troll sculpture to our community.

A troll needs more than wood and an artist. It needs a home, roads that can carry visitors, businesses ready to welcome them, and neighbors who want it there. A letter from the City tells donors, grant makers and Dambo's studio that local leadership sees the troll as good for Stanwood and Camano Island, and that it wants the project to succeed.

Here is what the letter says, and what it means for the project.

Stanwood is the gateway to Camano Island

The letter opens with the local economy. The City expects the troll to bring real economic benefits to the region, and it points to Stanwood's role as the gateway to Camano Island.

Every trip to Camano by car passes through Stanwood, because the island's only road connection is State Route 532 across the bridge from town. A family driving up to see the troll will fill up the tank, stop for lunch, browse a shop or two, and maybe stay the night. The City's letter names restaurants, shops, lodging providers and other local businesses as the places that stand to gain.

That pattern is already familiar elsewhere. Dambo's sculptures draw people who plan whole days, and sometimes whole vacations, around finding them. The Associated Press reported in May 2026 that Dambo estimates about 5 million people visit his works each year.

A fit with Stanwood's arts momentum

The City also ties the troll to what is already happening downtown. The letter says the troll would complement Stanwood's growing arts and cultural identity, support the City's work to establish a Creative District, and build on the momentum of the Meyer Art Center, which it expects to break ground this year.

The Creative District is a City effort to make the arts part of how Stanwood grows. The Stanwood City Council has voted to move forward with a creative district and a Main Street program centered on west Stanwood. The Meyer Art Center is a planned $13 million arts center on 270th Street NW in downtown Stanwood.

A troll and an arts center serve different visitors on different days. Together, they give people more than one reason to come to Stanwood, and more than one reason to come back.

Tens of thousands of visitors, welcomed responsibly

Thomas Dambo's trolls have become destinations around the world. The City notes that the Stanwood-Camano Troll could attract tens of thousands of visitors a year.

That number describes what is possible, and it comes with responsibility. Parking, traffic, trail access and the people who live nearby are all part of choosing and preparing a site. The steering committee is weighing those questions now so that the troll is a good neighbor from the day it opens.

The partners behind the project

Mayor Roberts also recognized the partnerships that have formed around the troll. The letter says the collaboration among local leaders, organizations, businesses, volunteers and supporters reflects a shared commitment to the quality of life and economic vitality of the greater Stanwood-Camano region.

• Daughters of Norway, where the idea for a troll began, as a way to celebrate the area's Scandinavian heritage.
• Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation, the project's fiscal sponsor. The Foundation has served as the community's philanthropic resource since 1960 and holds every gift made to the troll.
• Camano Island Chamber of Commerce, which connects the project with island businesses and visitors.
• City of Stanwood, which has now put its support in writing.
• Arrowhead Ranch, which supports Transformational Travel and responsible tourism.

Where the project stands

Thomas Dambo has signed on to create the Stanwood-Camano Troll. The community has raised $215,000 toward a $600,000 goal, about 36 percent, which leaves $385,000 to go.

Dambo visits Stanwood-Camano in mid-October 2026 to walk the proposed site and meet supporters. Design and development follow from late October through December 2026, then pre-production in early 2027. The troll itself is scheduled to be built in October 2027.

How you can help

• Donate online, or mail a check to the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation, PO Box 1209, Stanwood, WA 98292, with "Troll" in the memo line.
• Volunteer, share your ideas, or offer reclaimed wood and materials at stanwoodcamanotroll.com.
• Follow along at @stanwoodcamanotroll on Facebook and Instagram, or write to stanwoodcamanotroll@gmail.com.

Thank you, Mayor Roberts and the City of Stanwood, for believing in this project.

Frequently asked questions

Is the City of Stanwood paying for the troll?

The letter is a statement of support. It does not announce City funding. The troll is being paid for through community donations made to the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation, the project's fiscal sponsor.

Why does a letter of support matter?

Grant makers and major donors want to know a project has local backing before they commit. A letter from the City also helps when the project works through site planning, permits and visitor logistics. It shows the troll is a community project, not a private one.

Where will the troll be built?

The final site has not been announced. The steering committee is evaluating locations for access, parking, traffic and the effect on neighbors. We will share the location here once it is confirmed.

When will the troll be built?

The build is scheduled for October 2027. Thomas Dambo and his team design the troll from late October through December 2026, with pre-production in early 2027.

Who is Thomas Dambo?

Thomas Dambo is a Danish artist who builds giant trolls out of reclaimed wood. He has made close to 200 of them in 19 countries, including six in the Pacific Northwest. You can see where they all are on his troll map.

Are donations tax deductible?

Yes. The project is fiscally sponsored by the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Tax ID #91-6036846. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

My business wants to get involved. Where do we start?

Write to stanwoodcamanotroll@gmail.com. Businesses can give, sponsor, donate materials, or help plan for the visitors the troll will bring.

This community project is fiscally sponsored by the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Tax ID #91-6036846. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.