Last fall the Columbus Metro Parks system opened its 20th park in Quarry Trails. It’s located on the site of the Marble Cliff Quarry, which was once the largest contiguous quarry in the United States. It provided limestone for over a century that was used to build the Ohio Statehouse, the Leveque Tower, and Ohio Stadium. Current amenities include trails, observation areas, a single track mountain bike trail, a picturesque 25-foot waterfall and lakes.
Right now, without many trees or much blooming vegetation, Quarry Trails resembles a giant mud puddle and a literal working quarry. In the distance, on half of the 600-acre crater reserved for the park, the Shelly Company is still harvesting limestone from the site.
On the other side of the lake section of Quarry Trails is another, somewhat controversial feature, a $650 million development that will include townhomes, condos, apartments, retail, restaurants and a community pool. It seems counterintuitive to build in a place with this much natural wonder. Aren’t Metro Parks supposed to be a way to get away from it all? It’s the addition of this private investment that makes such an incredible place to wander possible within the city.
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| They paved paradise and put up a big box housing development. |
Quarry Trails is in its beginning phase. Once the other phases are complete, it will be an outdoor lover's recreation destination with the trails, mountain bike trail, kayaking, and rock climbing wall.
I was just thinking that things are still very brown here, spring will green things up soon. A reclaimed industrial site, neat. San Antonio has a successful one, likely a model for what you are seeing,
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