The Bainbridge Island Troll
Pia the Peacekeeper is an 18-foot troll in the woods at Sakai Park — 1560 Madison Avenue North. Recycled wood. Built in about two weeks by Thomas Dambo and a volunteer crew. She is meant to weather in place. Hug her. Take the photo. Do not climb.
This is a good extra, not the first-visit list. Ferry, free BIMA, and Winslow on foot come first: must-do. The photo-day script is the Instagram photo loop. Other extras: top outdoor.
At a glance
Where
Sakai Park, 1560 Madison Ave N. Short walk from the lot into the trees.
From the ferry
A little over a mile on the Sound to Olympics trail beside 305, or about half a mile from downtown via Madison.
Parking
About four stalls at Sakai, one accessible. Overflow across Madison at the Aquatic Center.
Time
Twenty to forty minutes including the walk from the lot. Kids will linger.
Rules
Photos and hugs yes. Climbing no. She is public art, not a jungle gym.
Directions
Address and map: Pia the Peacekeeper listing. This page is how to visit.
Pia is not next door to the bookstore.
Budget the walk or a short ride. Do not skip lunch in Winslow to “just see the troll” and miss the boat.
From the ferry
Walk-off: restrooms in the terminal, then the Sound to Olympics trail along Hwy 305. A little over a mile to Sakai. You can also cut through downtown and take Madison north — about half a mile from Winslow Way.
- Bike. Rent near the terminal at Classic Cycle, Bainbridge Bike Co, or Bike Barn Rentals. Confirm hours before you walk off. Helmet. 305 is not a family path; the trail beside it is the visitor ride.
- Bus / BI Ride. Kitsap Transit and BI Ride. Get off at 305 and High School Road or near the library. Sunday service is thin.
- Lyft / Uber / taxi. They run. There is no stand at the dock. Request when you need it. Taxis and rideshare.
Winslow on foot is still the main day. How the hill works: Winslow.
Parking
Sakai’s lot is tiny — about four cars. Overflow is east across Madison at the Aquatic Center. Do not park on the road or the grass. If those lots are full, you walked or you wait. The troll is not a reason to block a fire lane.
Park pin: Sakai Park.
What you can do
Walk up. Take pictures. Hug her. Kids do that, and that is fine. Climbing is not. Recycled wood fails if people treat it like a ladder. The Park District does basic maintenance. Dambo meant her to age. Help with that.
She is intended as a temporary installation. There is no published closing date. Come while she is standing.
Who built Pia
Copenhagen artist Thomas Dambo builds trolls from scrap wood. Pia went up in August 2023 with a local crew. Funding included the Scan Design Foundation, the Paul G. Allen Foundation, a book-signing fundraiser at BIMA, and islanders who housed the crew. Average cost for a troll of this scale is about $100,000 — artist, housing, materials, machines, per diems.
Dambo trolls also stand in West Seattle, Ballard, Issaquah’s Rainier Trail, Vashon, and Portland, among other places. Pia is the Bainbridge one. The name is Pia the Peacekeeper. Searchers also type Bainbridge Island troll. Same sculpture.
The Explore Bainbridge app
Map from the dock so you are not guessing Madison versus 305. Live ferry for the walk back. Free. explorebainbridge.com.
FAQ
Where is the Bainbridge Island troll?
Pia the Peacekeeper stands in the woods at Sakai Park, 1560 Madison Ave N. Short walk from the lot. Not a secret, and not next door to the ferry. About a mile from the terminal on the Sound to Olympics trail, or a half mile from downtown Winslow via Madison.
How do I get to Pia from the ferry without a car?
Walk the Sound to Olympics trail beside Hwy 305 (a little over a mile). Bike from Classic Cycle, Bainbridge Bike Co, or Bike Barn Rentals near the terminal — confirm hours before you walk off. Kitsap Transit and BI Ride: get off at 305 and High School Road or near the library. Sunday bus service is thin. Lyft, Uber, and taxis run, but there is no stand at the dock.
Where do I park for the troll?
Sakai Park has about four stalls, including one accessible space. Overflow is east across Madison at the Aquatic Center. Do not park on the road or the grass.
Can I climb on the troll?
No. Hug her and take pictures. Climbing damages the sculpture and is how someone gets hurt. Pia is recycled wood meant to age in place; treat her like public art, not a jungle gym.
How tall is Pia, and who made her?
Eighteen feet. Thomas Dambo and a volunteer crew built her in about two weeks from recycled wood, including wood that was already at Sakai Park. She is meant to be temporary and to weather. The Park District does basic repairs.