Baxter woods in Deering Center Portland Maine is a protected nature preserve entrusted to the people of Portland in 1946 by Governor Baxter to "forever be kept in its natural wild state and as a sanctuary for wild birds….”  As such the forest is the largest and oldest untouched forest in the greater Portland area. The forest is loved by dog walkers, bird watchers, educators and other nature enthusiasts.  

The forest is bordered by Forest and Stevens Avenue. On Forest ave bordering Baxter Woods is Portland's Ultimate Car Wash (PUCW). Opened in 1985, this is the only business that sits directly on the edge of Baxter woods. PUCW has been reported for illegal dumping and for polluting the neighboring creek leading to Back Cove. City officials have been contacted and the only intervention to date has been to a request PUCW place a sign on their fence to deter dumping. This sign has since been obscured from view.

Locals have video and photograph evidence that PUCW employees continue to dump into Baxter Woods. Besides the illegality of this practice, PUCW regularly pushes or blows the snow and leaves mixed with urban debris such as glass and plastics into the woods. This presents a safety issue for the local wildlife in Baxter Woods as well as the human and canine visitors. Lastly, the run off from the manual car wash and surrounding area seeps into the wetland area that feeds a small pond home to many nesting birds. 

We ask that Portland City and Maine Department of Environmental Protection open an investigation into Portland's Ultimate Car Wash.

We ask that they take action to stop this denigration of our city's natural wildlife sanctuary. 

Baxter woods is entrusted to we the people of Portland, we must protect this unique and beautiful space by demanding action from our city.