Career on Red Stone: history, legends, and recreation for Dnipro residents
The quarry at Chervony Kamyan is a popular recreational spot in Dnipro, despite the ban on swimming due to declining water quality. The body of water was formed as a result of the flooding of a granite quarry in 1930 years ago. Local residents recall the former "Anniversary" fountain and tell stories about giant carp and tragic incidents.
The Career on Red Stone is one of the most well-known places in the residential area, which today attracts Dnipro residents for walks and recreation.
The history of the reservoir began in the mid-_1930-th century, when granite was mined here. During the work, employees encountered groundwater, which began to quickly fill the excavation site. Eventually, the mining operations were stopped, and the quarry gradually transformed into a reservoir.
Despite the fact that in July 2026, research revealed a significant decline in water quality, and warning signs were installed along the shore, the area remains popular with residents of Chernoh Kamyan. They come here to relax, sunbathe, and spend time by the water.
“It’s a very nice place, people come here to swim and sunbathe. The quarry itself is a unique place, so people come here,” says local resident, Valeria. Other residents highlight the peaceful atmosphere and the opportunity to simply relax within the area. “My favorite place in this area is the quarry. It’s very conducive to relaxation, it’s great here. It’s clean, a green and peaceful zone, basically a great place,” said Alexei, a local resident. For older residents, the water body is also a part of their personal memories, related to childhood and meeting friends.
In the past, a prominent feature of the Red Stone district was the "Anniversary" fountain, with approximately 200 streams, reaching 30 meters in height. At night, the fountain was illuminated, and the water display changed every 12 minutes. In the early 2000s, efforts were made to restore it, but after several months of work, the fountain was permanently dismantled. Today, it is only remembered through archived photographs and the memories of residents.
The quarry at Chervony Kameni is surrounded by local legends about giant carp, equipment that supposedly remains on the bottom after the flooding, and the rock formation known as "The Graveyard," which is associated with tragic accidents. The accuracy of these stories is not confirmed, but they are what give the quarry a unique atmosphere and are passed down from person to person.