A legendary creature is about to take up residence at Austin's Mill Pond, bringing both whimsy and community spirit to the Minnesota city. Milly the Mill Pond Monster, a massive metal sculpture measuring between 12 and 16 feet in length, will be installed Monday morning on the south shore of Mill Pond, directly behind the Austin Public Library.

The impressive sculpture was created by students in the welding class at Austin High School under the instruction of teacher Ryan Stanley. Milly will be positioned approximately 12 feet away from a cement pad and will feature a distinctive book mounted on her tail, symbolizing her role as an ambassador for the Austin Public Library.

"We're really excited about it," said Julie Clinefelter, Executive Director of the Austin Public Library. "We're hoping she will be a local attraction, but also for us as a way to plan programming around her and get people interested in what we're doing at the library. Our mission is really connecting people to build community, literacy, equity and we think she will be able to help us do that."

The inspiration for Milly traces back to June 2024, following a significant flood event that occurred toward the end of that month. During the aftermath, a piece of driftwood was washed ashore behind the library, capturing the attention of the library staff. The weathered wood bore a striking resemblance to something akin to the famous Loch Ness Monster and other similar sculptures that Clinefelter had discovered through online searches.

The driftwood quickly became a conversation starter among the library staff, who began brainstorming creative possibilities. "Somebody actually said it could be Milly the Mill Pond Monster and that actually stuck," Clinefelter explained. "It kept coming up in conversation. Wouldn't that be fun to have something like that out there?"

As the concept developed, Stanley was brought into the project to help bring the vision to life. The collaboration grew to include careful consideration of Milly's placement and design. Initially, the team explored the possibility of positioning Milly directly in the waters of Mill Pond, but after consulting with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, they learned that placing such a sculpture in the water would not be permitted.

The installation timeline also faced some adjustments. Originally, the library hoped to have Milly ready for Welcoming Week in September, but the ambitious project required more time to complete properly. The delay, however, allowed for additional refinements and planning for the sculpture's debut.

Despite not being physically present until now, Milly has already been influencing the library's programming throughout the summer months. The library organized various projects centered around monster themes, with Milly serving as the spiritual centerpiece. Library staff now view her as a focal point that could inspire and anchor future programming initiatives.

"The idea is just kind of having her be our mascot to use in Facebook posts of what's coming," Clinefelter said. "It's just sparking those creative ideas." The library envisions Milly becoming a rallying point for community engagement, with the cement pad serving as a potential venue for musical performances and other cultural events.

To celebrate Milly's arrival, the Austin Public Library has commissioned local musician Will Bjorndal to compose an original Milly-themed song. This special musical tribute will be unveiled next Thursday at the library between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. as part of the official celebration honoring their new mascot.

"We kind of want her to become that focal point of all the things Austin is. How all of those things play into the library," Clinefelter emphasized. "We're all about that community building and building those bridges. We liked the idea of having that belonging." The sculpture represents more than just an artistic addition to the landscape; it embodies the library's commitment to fostering connections and creating inclusive spaces where all community members can find their place.