Firefly Grove Park officially opened one month ago, and it has quickly become one of Wauwatosa’s most popular destinations. Since opening day, the park has welcomed visitors from across the country to Wauwatosa, drawn by its public art and beautiful scenery.
But beyond its park amenities, Firefly Grove Park also highlights Wauwatosa’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Here are seven sustainable features you may not have noticed while visiting:
1. Mama Rosa – Reclaimed Wood Sculpture by Thomas Dambo
At the heart of the park stands Mama Rosa, a striking troll sculpture made entirely from reclaimed wood. Created by world-renowned artist Thomas Dambo, Mama Rosa is part of a global network of trolls built to celebrate sustainability and storytelling. Her presence reminds visitors of the importance of reusing materials and caring for the land. Mama Rosa was funded entirely through Wauwatosa’s hotel and motel room tax, meaning no local property tax dollars were used to bring this beloved feature to life.
2. On-Site Solar Energy
Firefly Grove Park is powered by renewable solar energy. Solar panels, discreetly located behind the bicycle pump track, generate clean electricity to power park facilities. This investment in solar infrastructure reduces the park’s carbon footprint and demonstrates Wauwatosa’s commitment to a more sustainable future.
3. Permeable Pavement Walking Paths
The park’s winding paths aren’t just beautiful–they’re built with a permeable pavement, a stormwater-friendly solution that allows rain to seep through the surface into a gravel storage layer below. This system slows runoff and directs it to the park’s engineered stormwater features including a biofiltration basin and constructed wetland. Collectively, the park’s green infrastructure can manage up to 600,000 gallons of stormwater during major rain events, reducing runoff, and helping protect local waterways.
4. Bike Racks and Future Trail Construction
Located near the picnic shelter, Firefly Grove Park’s bike racks offer a secure and convenient place for cyclists to lock up their bikes. Encouraging visitors to ride instead of drive helps reduce traffic and emissions. Looking ahead, a new bike path is planned along 116th Street, connecting Firefly Grove Park directly to the Oak Leaf Trail.
5. Native Plant Landscaping
Firefly Grove park features a diverse selection of plants that were chosen to align with regional ecology and sustainability goals. Many of those chosen were native species, which are known to support local biodiversity, improve water quality, and reduce the need for irrigation or chemical maintenance. These plantings help create a thriving habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife, making the park both beautiful and environmentally beneficial.
6. Reclaimed Lamp Posts with LED Lighting
The park's lamp posts were reclaimed from the Wauwatosa’s State Street reconstruction project. Rather than letting them go to waste, each lamppost was repurposed and fitted with energy-efficient LED bulbs. These upgrades provide safe, reliable lighting while conserving energy.
7. Biofiltration Basin
In the southern half of the park lies a biofiltration basin, a vegetated landscape feature designed to filter stormwater as it flows through the site. As runoff moves through permeable pavement and other stormwater elements, it drains into this basin, where plants naturally remove pollutants. From there, the treated water continues into the nearby constructed wetland located in the southeast area of the park. Together, these systems reduce pollution, improve water quality, and provide valuable habitat for local wildlife helping to protect Lake Michigan.
Visiting Firefly Grove Park
If you are arriving at the park by car, there is convenient parking on Walnut Road, located on the south end of the park. Feel free to bring your dogs along with you to Firefly Grove Park as it is a dog-friendly park. In addition, there are accessible paths throughout the park, making it both stroller and wheelchair friendly.
