Shadow Pines Pickleball Court Blast: Rocks from a blast at Dolomite Quarry in Penfield rained down on nearby pickleball courts at Shadow Pines on Monday, September 15, 2025. Players stopped mid-game as the explosion shook the area. No injuries were reported, but investigations are underway, and blasting at the site has been suspended.
Rocks Fall on Pickleball Players
Joel Barnett was playing pickleball when rocks landed on the court.
“The play immediately stopped because it was so much louder than anything,” Joel Barnett said. “That’s when I felt the shockwave.”
He described how the rocks fell across the courts.
“They were coming down at this angle, and then landed over by that tree,” Joel Barnett said. “As soon as I had my wits about me, I sprinted over to the shelter for a little bit of cover.”
Barnett, a former EMT, explained how dangerous it could have been.
“I don’t need to be an EMT to tell you a rock — I mean, it was about this big,” he said, holding his hands apart. “A rock that size hitting someone, they would have been dead.”
Town and State Respond
Penfield Town Supervisor Jeff Leenhouts confirmed the blast was carried out by a third-party contractor around 10 a.m. on Monday. He said public safety is the top concern.
“Public safety is paramount. The Town will continue to press for transparency and accountability to ensure that such an event does not happen again,” Jeff Leenhouts said in a statement.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is investigating. The agency said rocks flying beyond the mine’s boundaries is a violation of Dolomite’s mining permit.
To protect the public, the DEC ordered Dolomite to stop all blasting.
Ongoing Investigation
The DEC reported that its Division of Mineral Resources and Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) responded after Dolomite reported the incident.
“They took pictures of all the damages here,” Joel Barnett said. “They took pictures of the rocks that had landed over on the court. They took pictures of the playground where the rock had damaged the playground.”
Barnett, who grew up in Penfield, said this has never happened before.
“Something went different, and I don’t think the rock changed,” he said. “I’m assuming someone did something wrong.”
Dolomite’s Statement
The Dolomite Group said it is cooperating fully with investigators.
“Shortly following a routine and scheduled blast at approximately 10:00am on Monday, September 15, 2025 that was performed by a third-party contractor, Dolomite was made aware of debris coming from its Penfield quarry located at 746 Whalen Road affecting the Penfield Shadow Pines property,” the company said in a statement.
“The incident is currently under investigation and Dolomite is fully cooperating with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regarding this matter. Dolomite is a longstanding employer in Penfield and is committed to operating safely, responsibly and with respect for its neighbors.”
What Happens Next
The quarry will continue operations using stored materials but cannot blast until the investigation ends. Officials say updates will be shared with the community. For residents like Joel Barnett, the hope is that safety measures will prevent such an event from happening again.
News in Brief: Shadow Pines Pickleball Court Blast
Rocks from a Dolomite Quarry blast in Penfield crashed onto Shadow Pines pickleball courts on September 15, 2025. No one was hurt, but the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation suspended blasting and launched an investigation. The Town of Penfield says safety and accountability are top priorities moving forward.
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