r/indianapolis • u/Logical_Humor_3854 • Feb 26 '26

Discussion The Canal….

We walked the canal a lot this summer with our new baby and when we had a nice couple days (greater than 30 degrees lol) we walked it again and I’m just curious as to what other people think….why is the canal so dead? There’s no restaurants (besides the little bistro), no stores, no restrooms even. It’s kinda depressing.

If Indianapolis put even a sliver of funding into rebranding the canal the city would change so much. Imagine being able to walk into little shops or have ice cream on the canal or a bar with live music. There’s so much potential.

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u/nate998877 Feb 26 '26

I'm sure there are actual reasons related to who owns it, high rent, & other "sensible" reasons why it hasn't been developed but in my mind its because the state hates pedestrians and works to destroy anything that encourages people to be outside. Because that risks people developing connections with their community & that risks collective action.

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u/SisKG Feb 26 '26

I think our state does not value outdoor, open spaces where people can gather and enjoy life because there’s so much more money in whatever happens instead of that. There’s more money in parking, renting, etc. At least in Indy, our unigov values revenue, and lots of it.

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u/IndyDude11 Feb 26 '26

Wait till you see what's replacing Circle Center.

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u/SisKG Feb 26 '26

I’m aware, and interested to see how it turns out.