Austin's tiniest green space, BEPI Park, is prompting pedestrians and motorists alike to pause and enjoy its latest installation—a "Traffic Troll" aimed at slowing down speedy drivers through creativity. The miniature art piece comes from the mind and hands of local Austinite Gary Schumann, who pieced it together using an array of local materials including scraps from a chicken coop, a wine barrel, and limbs from an overpruned crepe Myrtle tree. Schumann's creation is more than mere adornment as he aims for the tiny park to draw smiles from visitors, preserving what he calls a little bit of that "keep Austin weird" spirit, as reported by CBS Austin.
The idea for BEPI Park first germinated in 2017 when Schumann took interest in a city plan for a patch of pavement destined to become more than just a landscaped median; he stepped in to shape and animate the spot with various themes including Greek statues and themed gardens over the years—now it sports the whimsical 'Traffic Troll' with the fresh tease of a "desert island" theme coming soon, said Schumann in interviews. The 'Traffic Troll,' while neighboring the hub of Austin's bustling streets, stands as a silent custodian of the city's eccentricity reminding those who pass by to delight in, and protect, the unique tapestry that is Austin.
At the same time, a larger-than-life sibling to BEPI's miniature guardian takes shape known as the Pease Park troll, as per the Pease Park Conservancy, a towering figure stretching 18 feet high and 15 feet wide expected to be completed by March 15, as per KXAN. This colossal counterpart, brought to life by artist Thomas Dambo, repurposes materials from an old water tower on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin and carries forward the city's commitment to whimsy and recycled artistry.
