Firefly Grove Park
Wauwatosa opened Firefly Grove Park in 2025 with an emphasis on being environmentally friendly. Located at 1900 N. 116th St. on the west side, the park has two solar panel arrays (one that powers the park), a retaining pond, and a marshy area with native grasses and plants designed for additional water run-off. The walking paths are constructed with permeable pavement, which prevents stormwater runoff. The park even contains a living willow hut! Much of the park’s landscaping was filled in by land and dirt removed during the reconstruction of the nearby freeway on/off-ramp at North Avenue.
Perhaps the biggest symbol of all is the nearly 25-foot troll Mama Rosa, sculpted by world-renowned recycle artist Thomas Dambo. All the wood—and the light posts—came from Wauwatosa! It is Dambo’s mission to use recycled materials, typically wood scraps, to build larger-than-life trolls to symbolize the importance of re-using materials that might normally be scrapped. Turning trash into treasure is a noble goal and one we believe in.
LED Street Lights
Our top priority is to make you feel safe throughout your trip to Wauwatosa, which is why we have 6,300 streetlights throughout the city. Nearly all of these lights have been converted to LED fixtures. Because there is little to no uplight, our residents and visitors can see the stars and planets more clearly—while saving money and energy, too. Plus, when it’s time to replace the LED lights, the components are recyclable!
Sustainable Food Practices
The Tosa Farmers Market isn’t just a good time, it also supports local vendors that are part of a sustainable food system. There are a variety of restaurants and grocery stores, like Outpost Foods, that promote green thumbs and green practices. Many restaurants are following a city ordinance to remove single-use plastic straws too. Every bit helps!