The Central Canal

Indianapolis, since the state of Indiana went bankrupt in 1839, has had the never completed Central Canal. The original purpose was to join the Wabash and Erie Canal with the Ohio River. The canal has been the playground for ducks, was briefly used in power generation, provided fishing for city folk, and was a supply of freshhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif water for the city's purification plant. It has gone through phases of disrepair and then resurgence. It is now the Indianapolis Canal Walk.

The latest resurgence has been where the canal passes through the downtown area of the city. Walkways, green areas, parks, major building projects like restaurants and apartments have been constructed along the banks. The idea undoubtedly came from other cities, like San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Spokane, and others, where waterways have been turned into amazing areas for everyone's enjoyment.

Please enjoy the following pictures of the Central Canal in downtown Indianapolis in the springtime........ where you can:

Enjoy spring time colors...

eat in a remodled church, then walk off the meal...

feel comfortable knowing it is constantly patrolled...

take a tour on a Segway...

or rent a paddle boat, canoe, or peddle car...

watch a Hispanic wedding party taking in the sites...

or see kids frolicing with Wolly Mamoths outside the Indiana State Museum...

see a boy warming up for the finals of a yo yo competition...

stop in at the NCAA Hall of Champions...

walk up to street level to see the seat of Indiana government.

There are many sites within a block or two of the canal's path like, the White River State Park, the Indianapolis Zoo, Victory Field (home of the Indianapolis Indians baseball team), the old Stutz building (where the car was made) which has been renovated and turned into offices and artists studios. Of course add a few more blocks to your walk and you are in range of nearly unlimited shopping, hotels, upscale restaurants, theater, and yada, yada, yada.

A friend from out of state once told me that Indianapolis was a cornfield with lights. I don't think it is "Indian NO Place" any more.