With construction looming for Vashon’s part in a new regional environmental-themed public art program, some islanders are still wondering: exactly when and where can we visit our very own large-scale, hand-built whimsical troll sculpture?

The Beachcomber has answers — but to hold the suspense for just a few minutes more, here are a few key details about the project for those who have somehow missed all the hoopla.

The story begins in Denmark.

“Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King,” is the latest project of acclaimed Danish environmental artist and storyteller Thomas Dambo, who has created more than 100 such sculptures, tucked away in breathtaking outdoor locations all over the world.

A few months ago, Dambo embarked on a five-site build throughout the Pacific Northwest and has now unveiled his latest creations in Portland, Bainbridge Island — and just last weekend, in West Seattle’s Lincoln Park.

The Lincoln Park troll, named Bruunidun, stands right behind Colman Pool, playing a song on her flute for the orcas.

In building Bruunidum, Dambo worked with Muckleshoot artist John “Coyote” Halliday, who adorned the troll’s flute with bark and shells.

The regional cluster of towering new trolls explores the play between myths from the Coast Salish tribal communities and Danish and Scandinavian traditions, according to Scan Design Foundation, which is overseeing the project.

Fashioned entirely out of recycled materials, the sculptures are meant to evoke awe and unexpected visual delight, as well as provide inspiration for viewers of all ages to protect the environment.

“I want people to know that trash has value,” said Dambo, at the start of the rollout of his Pacific Northwest project. “My trolls do that and also help me tell stories. In nature, there is no landfill. Nature is circular, everything has a meaning and everything is recycled.”

Three more trolls are on the way as Dambo completes his Northwest tour: one in Issaquah, another in Ballard, and another, of course, on Vashon.

Until recently, the location of the Vashon’s sculpture was a closely guarded secret kept by local organizers of the project — an effort led by the Vashon Chamber of Commerce, with in-kind contributions from Vashon Park District, Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust, and Vashon Center for the Arts.

But now the secret is out.

Last week, a source with direct knowledge about the project revealed where the Vashon troll will reside: in a cleared grove, surrounded by woods, on the upper grounds of Point Robinson Park, near the trailhead that leads down to the park’s sweeping beach and iconic lighthouse.

In a phone call, the local program manager of the project, Lynann Politte, confirmed the location and said that the troll would be built on the site from Sept. 4 to 15, and officially unveiled in a ceremony on Sept. 17.

Politte urged islanders to have patience and give plenty of room and privacy to the artist and his workers during the construction of the project.

She said that each of Dambo’s construction projects uses up to 150 recycled wood pallets, and takes just 10 days to build — so a concentrated amount of assembly will be crammed into the location at Point Robinson Park.

In building his Vashon troll, she said, Dambo would also incorporate 30 whole tree logs — a donation from one island resident — making his project here larger than most.

“It’s a true construction site,” she said.

Politte warned that parking at Point Robinson may be limited during the time of the build.

“There will be a lot of congestion of trucks and equipment at Point Robinson from September 4 to 15,” she said, noting that continuing work on a rebuild of the septic system of the Keepers Quarters at Point Robinson will bring even more trucks and workers to the upper parking lot during this time.

Riders in Passport2Pain, an annual marathon event on Vashon, will also whiz through the area on Saturday, Sept. 16, she added.

“We’re asking people to take a pause from visiting the park just for this short while,” she said.

But she said she can’t wait to welcome islanders to the grand opening of the sculpture on Sunday, Sept. 17.

“We think you will love what you will find,” she said.

Vashon partners

Politte and Cheryl Lubbert, of the Chamber of Commerce, have helped spearhead the project on Vashon.

“Like many on Vashon, I have a passion for raising awareness around sustainability and environmental consciousness,” said Lubbert. “This project offered an engaging way to have Vashon join a global effort to do that. Besides, Vashon is a great place for a troll,” she added — noting that the sculpture will be in keeping with the island’s “Keep Vashon Weird” ethos.

In the last month, more than 90 local volunteers have signed up for construction and administrative jobs in launching the sculpture, Politte said.

She also noted that islanders have made generous financial contributions to the project, to augment seed money provided by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation for the entire Pacific Northwest project.

Local costs, she said — including equipment rental, engineered structural items, signage, and more — are not quite covered yet. To contribute, visit thisisvashon.com/vashontroll or search for “Vashon Troll: The Way of the Bird King” on indiegogo.com.

Politte also urged islanders to attend a rare artist talk and book signing by Dambo, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, at Vashon Center for the Arts. Presented by Vashon Chamber, tickets are now on sale at vashoncenterforthearts.org. Dambo’s talk will be his only public appearance on Vashon.

The official opening festivities, from 12-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, will include an open house hosted by the Vashon Chamber, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m.

A closing celebration for the “Way of the Bird King” series, will take place at Seattle’s National Nordic Museum on Sept. 18.

Find out more about the artistic journey at nwtrolls.org, trollmap.com, and on Dambo’s vlog site.

Correction: This article, as it appeared in the Aug. 31 print edition of The Beachcomber and a previous online version, erred in saying that Thomas Dambo would be present at the opening festivities for the Vashon Troll on Sept. 17. Dambo’s only public appearance on Vashon will be at his artist’s talk and book signing, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, at Vashon Center for the Arts. We strive for accuracy and regret the error.