The Pawtuxet oxbow park is a small, beautiful forest between Warwick ave and Pawtuxet village. As an ecosystem hosting rich biodiversity, it is an escape from development for many.

In the middle of suburbia, this woodland thrives alongside the Pawtuxet River, complete with trails and ball fields. People walk their dogs here and find peace on these trails. However, surrounding development and pollution encroaches on the boarders, threatening fragile ecosystems within.

Not to mention a history of dumping off Dallas & Warwick Ave, resulting in chronic pollution in the wetlands present. Wetlands are a protected ecosystem in Rhode Island, but have been left to bear this burden of trash.

Homelessness is a major problem in this woodland, anyone walking the trails has a story to tell. These people live in encampments with electronics, groceries, chemicals, and piles of trash. At every encampment, fire is an inevitable result of these hazardous waste materials. These burn sites are highly toxic to wildlife, not to mention children and dogs playing in the area. 

Several burned encampments have already been cleaned by myself and volunteers, (which is a major undertaking for any number of people) only to be reclaimed by the homeless. The frustration felt by us volunteers is just a fraction of the pain caused by these fires. 

This petition is the next step of my journey in protecting the pawtuxet oxbow park. The homeless issue is one that must be dealt with compassionately, and although they would rather stay there, there are shelters with waste disposal they can stay in. The best way to protect them and this threatened ecosystem is to have state level protection across the preserve. 

Please consider signing, sharing, and/or donating to make a difference for those currently living in this forest.

Thank you