OLD HICKORY, Tenn. - Nestled between the trees of Hendersonville and Old Hickory lies a little piece of heaven, at least that's how the neighbors feel about Old Hickory Lake.
"I love it here, we go kayaking all the time," Old Hickory resident Amy Pragnell said.
The lake and park have become a go to place for outdoorsmen and home to many species of wild life.
"We've got protective species in this area, there's birds that come here that are protected under the migratory bird act," said Pragnell.
However, if a local developer has their way the area could soon be home to a rock quarry for sand and limestone.
"They're looking for a 20 plus year plan on that property for mining and then also possibly keeping themselves open for leasing of an asphalt or concrete plant on that property as well," Pragnell explained.
The proposed site for the quarry expands more than 100,000 square feet and sits just a couple hundred yards away from the beach at Old Hickory Lake Park.
"You can't underplay the damage that's going to happen from a mine. You can't do it," said Pragnell.
District Councilman Larry Hagar said he's proposed an ordinance that includes a 2,000 foot buffer from the park and a 1,000 foot buffer from nearby residential homes. He's hoping for a second reading on the issue next week.
"We're going to fight this to the death, it's not over till its over," Pragnell said. "This is not just about a lake. This is about everybody, everybody in Nashville, doesn't matter where you're at."
With the livelyhood of their neighborhood at stake, residents are preparing for a long battle.
"It would change everything; it would change the whole typography out here," Pragnell said.
The operations manager for Nashville Quarry did not comment. NewsChannel 5 reached out to Tom White with Industrial Land Developers, LLC. As of Tuesday evening our calls were not returned.
