Rocklin is getting quite the upgrade these days. While I’m not thrilled with the rapid expansion of the population and everything that comes with it (ahem, traffic), I am happy to see the city reinvesting in its community resources — especially the new Quarry Park.
It’s still in the early stages of development, but this old, rundown corner of Pacific Street and Rocklin Road is already looking fantastic. Our first peek at this beautiful outdoor music venue was for the 107.9 Wake Up Call Birthday Bash. We arrived early to find a great place to sit and it gave us time to wander the property and see what’s been done so far and I love it.
Quarry Park Development
Nestled within 17 acres of previously hidden pristine land, the Quarry Park Amphitheater is set to become an outdoor destination for our hometown of Rocklin, California. This ambitious project is more than just an outdoor entertainment venue — it represents a multi-phase development that will transform the area into a hub of recreation and community engagement.
The four-tiered, state-of-the-art, outdoor amphitheater seats between 1,000 and 1,500 people and features a stage with a shade cover — although whether or not it provides any shade whatsoever depends on the time of day and where you sit! Along with construction of the amphitheater.
This first phase of development also included:
- Enhanced parking options to accommodate the influx of visitors.
- An old building repurposed into modern restrooms and a shaded platform.
- A scenic walking trail that circles the quarry and provides a picturesque nature experience.
- A wooden playground and a wooden train for younger visitors.
- A new drop-off area complete with light posts for better visibility and safety.
- A distinctive lettered sign matching the one in the nearby roundabout.
- Aesthetic landscaping improvements that enhance the park’s appeal and functionality.
The second phase of Quarry Park’s development will focus on expanding parking options and introducing new recreational activities by transforming the Big Gun Quarry into an adventure destination. When fully developed, Quarry Park will boast two separate stages, a serene lake, a seven-story rock quarry featuring a waterfall, zip-lines, rock climbing, and a ropes course.
Quarry Park History
The area around Quarry Park has a rich granite mining heritage. The Quinn Quarry produced granite until the early 20th century and was a favorite swimming hole for locals in the 1930s, and the Big Gun Quarry, played a significant role in the city’s development and has left a lasting legacy that continues to be recognized today. Today both are part of Quarry Park.
The Big Gun Quarry opened in September 1864 with the purpose of supplying granite for the construction of the California State Capitol Building. From 1905 until the early 1930s, the quarry was primarily operated by the California Granite Company. During this time, it was recognized for producing some of the finest granite in the state.
In 1933, the quarry came under the ownership of the Ruhkala family’s Union Granite Company. Under their management, the Big Gun Quarry continued to thrive and became the largest quarry operated by the Union Granite Company. It remained operational until 2005, making it the last of Rocklin’s 62 quarries to cease operations.
Visit Quarry Park
Quarry Park Amphitheater is within walking distance of cultural landmarks like the Rocklin History Museum, Finn Hall, and the Rocklin Train Station.
- Quarry Park is located at 4000 Rocklin Road, Rocklin, California 95677, in Placer County, behind the fire station, City Hall, and Memorial Park.
- Next door to Quarry Park is Rocklin’s small yet mighty Memorial Park located at 3980 Rocklin Road, Rocklin, CA 95677. Sitting between the Fire Station and the historic City Hall buildings, it honors military veterans and has a wooden playground, shaded picnic spots with tables and benches, and restrooms.
