D36 No. 36: #QuarryYesMore Newsletter Series, Day 7. Community Testimonials & Memories
James O'Flanagan, MS, FRSA
Engineer, Educator, & Conservationist Dedicated To Inspiring Future Innovators | MS | FRSA | Top 100 Innovators 2024 | Marquis Who’s Who | ??♂???♀???????????♂???
??Community Testimonials & Memories
By: Jim O'Flanagan
#QuarryYesMore Newsletter Series Summary:
Day 7: Community Testimonials and Memories
Article Summary:
Article Playlist:
Day 7: ArcAngel Cannata, "Fortune Teller." (2002).
Music by: ArcAngel Cannata, "Fortune Teller." (2002).
Link Reference: https://vimeo.com/995444690/d3393cbbc9
Introduction
The Peninsula Quarry is more than just a cool, old-school swimming hole—it's a vital part of our community fabric. Over the last 70 years, generations of families have gathered here to make memories, connect with nature, and enjoy the refreshing spring-fed waters. As we explore the stories that have shaped the Quarry's legacy, it's evident that its impact reaches far beyond mere recreation; it touches the very core of what it means to be part of this community.
A Legacy of Memories: The Connection With Local Schools
For many in the Peninsula area, visiting The Peninsula Quarry has become a family tradition, passed down through generations. The connection runs deep, not just with families but also with local institutions like Boston High School and Woodridge High School.
Link Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodridge_High_School
Boston High School, which served the community from the early 1900s until its closure, was a foundational part of the local education system. Many residents of Peninsula and Boston Township attended this school before it eventually merged with other local institutions (NPS Homepage) (Peninsula Library).
From bostontownshiphall.org:
"Due to increased enrollment, a new Boston Township High School was built in 1930 on Bronson Avenue.? In 1939, the Trustees of Boston Township purchased this property from the Board of Education for $100.? Union Grange #2380 took up residence on the first floor of this building and the second floor was relegated to storage.? The first floor of the brick addition housed the Peninsula Library from 1947 to 1964.? Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops met in the classrooms on the second floor of the brick addition."
Woodridge High School, established in the 1940s, now serves the Peninsula area as part of the Woodridge Local School District. The district covers significant portions of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, including Peninsula and parts of Cuyahoga Falls and Akron. Woodridge High School has long been a center of community life, fostering strong connections through various activities and sports programs (Wikipedia).
Peninsula Library & Historical Society Homepage.
Link Reference: https://peninsulalibrary.org/
From the 1940s through the early 1970s, both Boston High School and Woodridge High School teams played their home games in Peninsula. During this time, football teams conducted two-a-day practices in Peninsula, and the proximity of The Peninsula Quarry—just a hundred yards away—made it a natural retreat between sessions. This tradition continued into the 1990s, with students still visiting the quarry to cool off and unwind (NPS Homepage) (Peninsula Library).
Link Reference: https://www.nps.gov/cuva/learn/village-of-boston.htm
"My dad used to take us to the quarry after football practice at Woodridge High School, and we'd spend hours swimming and enjoying the day," a community member reflects. "It’s a place filled with family memories. It’s hard to imagine a summer without it."
Link Reference: https://bostontownshiphall.org/history/
Community Experiences: The Peninsula Quarry's Real Voices
From local football teams cooling off after practice to families passing down the tradition of summer swims, the Quarry is a place where memories are made and legacies are built.
The Peninsula Quarry remains a beloved spot for many, but it's also a place that sparks different experiences and opinions from visitors:
You can find more stories like Mr. Stedman's and Mr. Wehbe's on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website:
Link Reference: https://www.chamberofcommerce.com/business-directory/ohio/peninsula/tourist-attraction/2014823669-the-peninsula-quarry
These real accounts reflect the diverse perspectives of those who cherish the Peninsula Quarry, further highlighting its role as a multifaceted community gathering spot.
Thought Experiment No. II: The Peninsula Quarry's Future
Imagine paying $3 million for a property—what would you do with it? This is the pressing question as the legacy of The Peninsula Quarry hangs in the balance. With potential buyers eyeing the property, the community faces a dilemma: develop or preserve?
Thought Experiment: What would you do with the property if you owned it? Would you develop it for profit or preserve it for community use? The possibilities are endless, but one thing is clear—any decision will significantly impact the Quarry's future. Link to property sale details.
I can personally attest to the fact that there is a lake on this property, because I've swam in it for over 30 years myself, along with my kids, my wife, and many of my friends and family.
If you paid 3 mil for a property, what would you do with the property?
Try to get my investment back.
There are only 2 practical ways we can see to do that:
Link Reference: https://images.loopnet.ca/d2/B-BQQLoNhN5Y4VtJsloKHDcC0AndVTmA2aKAYt8OR6I/document.pdf
They are two sides of the same coin, and the end result is the same: The Peninsula Quarry becomes unsafe for swimming, or disappears altogether.
There is also the possibility that someone quite wealthy would buy this tract of land for a private residence. There are residences of this size right next door to The Peninsula Quarry already. Even though they are "only" houses, their septic systems must interact with the environment. A public sewer line is coming down Ohio State Route 303, but it hasn't reached the west side of The Cuyahoga Valley yet.
Developing a piece of land such as this usually means building houses or businesses. But the are other alternatives. The Summit Metro Parks has a long history of turning private property such as this into public green spaces and parks. Many of you have visited these parks; they are some of the best I have ever seen.
This is a listing of some of the major parks in the area that Summit Metro Parks operates, including the popular Deep Lock Quarry near The Peninsula Quarry 's location:
Link Reference: https://www.summitmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/MAP_2023-Summit-County-for-WEB.pdf
They would be a great partner.
Has anyone explored alternative options such as this? There are no answers forthcoming from anyone involved with this property sale. I've tried.
The CVNP has no interest in this land,
This has been stated by The Peninsula Quarry 's commercial property listing agent in multiple Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com articles.
Given the challenges in converting the old Brandywine golf course into tax-generating businesses, the property The Peninsula Quarry sits on remains one of the few viable development sites left in the area.
If that land is developed, what happens to the local tax revenue?
It goes up. ??
Who benefits from that?
The Village of Peninsula, of course.
And its residents, most assuredly.
领英推荐
Community Gathering Spot: More Than A Swimming Hole
Beyond individual memories, The Peninsula Quarry has served as a backdrop for community events and celebrations. From picnics to birthdays, quiet afternoons to bustling weekends, the quarry has been a gathering place where Peninsula residents have shared many significant moments.
The Peninsula Quarry has been more than a swimming spot; it's a community icon. From hosting family picnics to being the go-to place for cooling off after a hot summer day, it's been central to our lives in Peninsula.
The 1967 Akron Beacon Journal article beautifully captured this essence, showing locals enjoying the Quarry and reinforcing its place as a beloved public space. This legacy is why so many are fighting for its preservation.
The 1967 Akron Beacon Journal Feature: A Community Icon
For more details, visit the [Summit Memory Archive](https://www.summitmemory.org/digital/collection/ABJarchives/id/1027/).
The importance of The Peninsula Quarry as a community icon was beautifully captured in a 1967 article and photograph published by the Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com . The image shows a lively scene of locals enjoying the quarry, a testament to its role as a beloved public space. The article highlighted the quarry’s significance to the Peninsula community, underscoring how it had become a cornerstone of local life.
This is a link to the article on the Akron Beacon Journal's archive site.
This historical documentation serves as a powerful reminder of The Peninsula Quarry 's value. The possibility of its closure has only intensified the community’s determination to see it's legacy preserved and protected for future generations.
Music by: Ozzy Osbourne, "Dreamer." (2001).
Link Reference: https://vimeo.com/995445492/9fc3f0d2df
Memories from The Peninsula Quarry’s Facebook Community
In today’s digital age, The Peninsula Quarry 's vibrant community has extended online. The quarry’s Facebook page is filled with posts from residents sharing their memories, photos, and stories.
Here are some highlights:
Link Reference: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/kZEFJVYvFELeVz1o/
Link Reference: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/FwFi2mmNNF1saHwU/
Conclusion
The stories shared by the community make it abundantly clear that The Peninsula Quarry is a vital part of our local fabric. Its closure would mark the end of an era, but the memories it has created will endure. As we continue our #QuarryYesMore series, we invite you to share your own memories of the quarry so we can celebrate its legacy together and work towards its preservation.
The Call to Action: Help Preserve Our Legacy!
The possible closure of The Peninsula Quarry is a stark reminder of how fragile our local treasures can be. But there is hope! Share your stories, lend your voice, and help ensure the Quarry remains a cherished part of Peninsula for generations to come.
About OAPSIE?Inc.
Homepage: OAPSIE.com
OAPSIE?Inc. is an engineering agency dedicated to conservation and sustainability. Our mission is to protect and preserve natural resources for future generations. Through various projects and initiatives, we aim to promote environmental stewardship and community involvement.
Link Reference; https://oapsie.com/projects
Northeast Ohio is our home. It is also one of the primary foci of The Deck 36 Newsletter. From the second issue issue, we have been talking about how awesome the beauty is around here. we published a bit about the fall leaves in the Cuyahoga Valley here:
My GenAI robot and I co-authored a piece of why living in Northeast Ohio is #Awesome, and thus, why we promote it so much:
Conservation & OAPSIE?Inc.'s USGS Naming Project
OAPSIE?Inc. United States Geological Survey Water Feature Naming Project is one of our significant initiatives aimed at preserving historical and cultural significance by officially recognizing geographic features.
For more details, check out Deck 36, Issue No. 19, where we dive deeper into this project: Deck 36, Issue No. 19
Link Reference: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/d36-19-conservation-oapsie-inc-files-usgs-bgn-naming-james-o-flanagan-5fw8c/
Conservation is a core value for OAPSIE?Inc., especially in the Northeast Ohio area where I grew up. In Deck 36, Issue No. 8, I discuss why conservation matters so much to me, my family, and OAPSIE?Inc.: Deck 36, Issue No. 8
We published an entire Deck 36 Newsletter article enumerating why Conservation, and in particular, #Conservation in the area I grew up in here in Northeast Ohio, are very important to me, OAPSIE?Inc. and my family. Here's Deck 36 Issue No. 8 where I talk about that commitment:
Link Reference: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/deck-36-8-edis-favorite-color-green-james-o-flanagan-ew26c/
Final Thoughts
The Peninsula Quarry 's story isn't just about a place; it's about people, memories, and the power of community. Let's work together to ensure its legacy endures.
References
Link Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodridge_High_School
Link Reference: https://www.nps.gov/cuva/learn/village-of-boston.htm
Link Reference: https://peninsulalibrary.org/
Further Reading:
Link Reference: https://www.nps.gov/cuva/learn/village-of-boston.htm
#QuarryYesMore #PeninsulaQuarry #CommunityMemories #PreserveOurHistory #OhioLandmarks #SwimmingHole #LocalTraditions #FamilyHeritage #CuyahogaValley #OhioCommunity #ConservationMatters #NostalgicSummer #LocalHistory #CommunityStories #SaveTheQuarry #OAPSIE #Deck36Newsletter
??????♂???????????????????????????????????
This combination represents nature, water activities, community, memories, conservation efforts, and family traditions, all of which are key elements in the article.
?? The Galaxy of Edi ?? https://oapsie.com | https://eastrimtrail.com | https://stow.mortgage | https://galaxyofedi.com | https://adelldurbin.com | https://galaxyofedi.com
??
Discover The Peninsula Quarry 's TikTok feed.
Link Reference: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/The-peninsula-quarry