The giant wooden troll sculpture known as Malin’s Fountain in Pease Park was completely destroyed by fire early Thursday morning.
Austin Fire Department crews responded to reports of heavy flames around 5:30 a.m. but found the structure already burned down upon arrival, reported KVUE. The Austin Fire Department’s arson unit is investigating the cause.
The 18-foot-tall, 15-foot-wide sculpture had stood in the park since its unveiling in March 2024, per KUT News. It was funded entirely by private donors at a cost of approximately $300,000.
History and Creation of Malin
Danish recycle artist Thomas Dambo, known for building more than 100 giant trolls worldwide from salvaged materials, designed Malin as a “water protector.”
The female troll holds a bowl, symbolizing humans’ need to share water and resources with animals. Dambo drew inspiration from Austin’s extreme drought conditions during his initial visit in summer 2023 and local residents’ practice of leaving water bowls for wildlife, per KUT.
Construction involved Dambo’s team, who shipped some components from Denmark, and roughly 150 Austin volunteers. The troll incorporated more than 80% recycled or repurposed materials, including wood from a decommissioned water tower at the University of Texas at Austin’s J.J. Pickle Research Campus, cedar roots for hair, and natural stones for a necklace. Assembly in the park took about two weeks in February 2024.
The Pease Park Conservancy installed the piece along the Shoal Creek Trail for an expected 15-year lifespan. Major donors included the Tejemos Foundation, with additional support from H-E-B and the William Knox Holt Foundation. No taxpayer funds were used.
Next Steps
Dambo’s trolls appear in parks and trails globally, often carrying environmental messages. One of his installations in Australia was also destroyed by fire in the past, per The Guardian. Malin was the first and only Dambo troll in Texas.
Nicole Netherton, CEO of the Pease Park Conservancy, stated, per KXAN, that “It’s devastating. It’s something that the conservancy was really proud … and the city, I think, really enjoyed having the troll here, and it brought so much joy. So we’re all feeling a real sense of loss.”
The conservancy has not yet decided on rebuilding but indicated that discussions will follow. Former Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly encouraged donations to the Pease Park Conservancy in honor of Malin.
Since this is blowing up, please consider making a donation to the Pease Park Conservancy in honor of Malin: https://t.co/wnh0bVba3Y
— Mackenzie Kelly (@mkelly007) May 21, 2026
The site remains cordoned off as investigators work to clear the area.
