Nelson Ledges Quarry Park had a rocky past; and when you consider the park’s sandstone and quartz cliffs, an impressive rocky presence, also.

The area was first settled in 1800 by a family from Vermont who established their farms as major cheese producers. It became a recreation and honeymoon resort with the construction of Cascade House there in 1863, and in the 1940s and ’50s, the valuable rock deposits were quarried until natural springs flooded the holes.

Plate shifts and erosion formed the cliffs which added to the natural beauty, drawing area folks first for swimming and outdoor recreation, and then hippy squatters, before becoming a private recreational park. Eventually, the predominant recreation came to be wild weekend parties where property destruction, criminal activity, injury and even death were part of the ‘fun.’

The park’s notorious reputation began to change when former lifeguard and manager, Evan Kelley, pooled all the family money he could gather to purchase the 250 acre park. He loved the park’s scenic beauty, and was determined to make it a destination for wholesome family fun … and a major musical venue.

Kelley grew up in a musical family — his grandma was a jazz pianist — and he taught himself guitar and keyboards, playing in several regional bands in his youth. He and his new wife Kristina were also Deadheads, traveling the country to shows and reveling in the camaraderie and music of those gatherings. That’s the spirit they have created at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park.

There is another park nearby called Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park which is much smaller and not related in any way to the Quarry. Both are located in Nelson Township, near Garrettsville, northwest of Warren on St. Rte. 282.

They bill the park as, “the only spot in Ohio for scenic camping, swimming, scuba, hiking, biking, nature, fishing, honeybees, organic gardens, music festivals, arts and crafts and more.”

The Kelleys especially appreciate the “great folks” who keep coming back to the park. “That’s what makes this such a great venue,” Evan insists, “and that’s why performers want to come back and play here year after year.” He already had 16 shows set for this summer (“really, more than we want”) when George Clinton’s people called and asked if he could schedule at the Quarry again this summer. “So what are you gonna do?” he asked. Make that 17. The full schedule, and much more park information is available on their website at nlqp.com.

Kelley is proud of the “flow” around the bandstand, set up near the sand beach at the quarry’s spring-fed swimming area, and the 320 permanent campsites can accommodate any short-term camping interest.

JonesFest II, June 6 will bring a new branch to the ever-growing family of friends at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park.