YCN

PRESERVING THE MEMORY OF THE PENINSULA QUARRY

By James O`Flanagan, MS, FRSA Publisher, Deck 36 Newsletter | STEM Educator

For nearly 70 years, the Peninsula Quarry served as a community gathering place—a summer tradition where generations of local families swam, volunteered, and came together. With its recent closure, many residents have expressed concern about the site`s future and the preservation of its history.

In September, I submitted a public-records request to the Village of Peninsula under Ohio Revised Code §149.43, the state`s Public Records Act. This law ensures citizens have access to public documents so that local government remains transparent. The request seeks records related to the quarry`s operation, environmental permitting, and correspondence surrounding its closure and potential redevelopment.

The purpose of this request is not to challenge ownership or management of the property. The Peninsula Quarry remains private property, and its owners retain the rights that come with that status. However, Ohio law also acknowledges that questions of public use should be considered "when appropriate by law." That principle reflects a simple idea: when a property has served a public function for generations, the public deserves to understand what comes next.

Public use is not the same as public ownership—it`s a matter of civic awareness. Residents should be informed and engaged when decisions affect shared spaces, environmental resources, and long-standing community traditions.

My goal is to ensure that the historical record of the Peninsula Quarry is accurate, accessible, and preserved for future reference. The records obtained through this request will help build a timeline of events, clarify past decisions, and inform any future discussions about redevelopment or land use.

This effort is also about preservation and education. As a STEM educator, I use projects like this one to help students understand how engineering, history, and civic responsibility intersect in real-world settings. My classroom lessons often draw from local examples—like the quarry`s story—to show how community spaces evolve, how records are maintained, and why transparency matters in both government and engineering.

Over nearly seven decades, the quarry became part of Peninsula`s identity. Many residents recall learning to swim there, attending events, or volunteering to maintain the site. Its closing marked the end of an era—but also an opportunity to capture its full story through records, photographs, and personal accounts before those memories fade.

I invite anyone with photographs, stories, or historical documents related to the quarry to contribute them for archival purposes. These materials will help document how the site evolved and why it mattered to so many people in our community. They will also serve as a foundation for future decisions, ensuring that change happens with both historical context and civic transparency in mind.

Preserving a community`s history is not about looking backward—it`s about understanding how the past shapes what we choose to build next. With the help of residents, records, and local institutions, we can make sure the Peninsula Quarry`s 68-year story remains part of our shared legacy.

For more information or to contribute materials: jim.oflanagan@gmail.com