A man drowned at an off limits Barrhaven quarry on Sunday night, police say.

The body was recovered at about 3:30 a.m. Monday and was later taken from the scene by the coroner. (Matthew Kupfer/CBC) Emergency workers were called to the privately owned quarry, off Cedarhill Drive near Fallowfield Road and Highway 416, at about 10 p.m.

Firefighters and the Ottawa police marine, dive and trails unit commenced a search and a body was recovered at about 3:30 a.m. Monday.

Police are not releasing any information about the victim until relatives are notified.

The quarry, owned by Mattamy Homes, is off limits to trespassers. Police had been issuing $65 tickets to trespassers last month, but the quarry remains a popular spot for people trying to beat the heat.

Don Betts, who has lived near the Barrhaven quarry for 20 years, says scarier warning signs should be installed to deter people from drinking and diving at the quarry. (CBC News) "Every nice day, you'll see people here," said Don Betts, who has lived on Cedarhill Drive near the quarry for 20 years. "We've had good surveillance by the police recently, but that doesn't stop them.

"The signs we have — no trespassing, private property — doesn't mean a thing," he said, adding that scarier warning signs should be put up in the area.

"It's terrible, terrible what happened."

In an emailed statement Monday, Mattamy Homes said that since it bought the property in 2014, "at least a dozen permanent Danger/No Trespassing" signs were posted at access points and within the quarry.

The company said it continues "ongoing consultations to consider other feasible security measures" at the site, and is urging people not to trespass.