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    Colts Canal Playspace

    4.3 (24 reviews)

    Colts Canal Playspace Photos

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    Brittany S.

    This is such a fun and engaging addition along the Canal. It was also a much needed addition to the space to welcome in younger audiences. From the soft spongy floor to the creative and fresh play areas, you can tell a lot of thought was given to this project. It's location along the canal make it ideal for playing and then heading off for a strong along the water to enjoy the ducks and downtown views. My only wish for this space would be more of a division or barrier around the toddler/baby area. Given all of the dogs in the area/water along the playscapes, etc. I'm a sucker for the fenced in playscapes in Europe that allow kiddos to play more freely without parents having to stay right on top of them for safety reasons. Parking can be found on neighboring streets (most are metered). Overall, a fabulous addition to make downtown a more family-friendly place to live and play.

    Feeding the ducks
    Erin M.

    We love this playground because my 6 year old loves to run around and play while my 1 year old loves to feed the ducks and geese in the canal!!

    Katherine A.

    What a great playground and climbing structure in downtown Indianapolis located on the canal. We took our granddaughters down for a day out. They LOVED the the unique and challenging arrangement of climbing structures and special features throughout the park. There are slides, rope climbs, unusual swings and so much more to challenge the kids and keep them amused for hours. There is a soft matted surface under the structure incase the little tikes take a tumble. There are features that suit all ages from toddles up. The park is pristinely clean. The structure was paid for by the Indianapolis Colts Foundation and the Colts logo and colors adorn the structure. The park is totally accessible and easy to navigate with a stroller. There is plenty of free street parking around. We parked on Senate Street just a short walk around the block. The structure is opened from dawn til dusk. No alcohol is permitted and dogs must be on a lease. There are nice benches surrounding the structure for parents to relax and watch the kids play. There is a water fountain but I'm not sure that it was operating. The park was not crowded when we arrived early but became more crowded closer to 11 am. The park is just off the Cultural Trail and Canal Walk so that you can take a walk when you are done playing. We'll be back soon. This is a hidden gem.

    Colts Canal PlaySpace
    Nicole S.

    This playground looks a little like a mini rollercoaster from afar, but it's no roller coaster -- it's a new playground along the downtown Indy Canal Walk! It makes me immensely happy whenever a new playground opens up anywhere, but it made me especially happy when this one opened because this area was in desperate need of a place for kids to play. The Colts Canal PlaySpace is the first and only playground in the Mile Square area, which is a shame (there need to be more places to play for local kids!) but it's a start, I guess. The playground is nearly an acre big, and within the little park is the roller-coaster-looking climbing tower, ladders to scale, slides for kids of all ages, swings (including two big net-looking swings), a spinner bowl, twister nets and stepping stones. The ground is soft and padded, made for cushioning the blow if you fall. This playground skews a little older because there is a lot of climbing involved, so school-aged kids who are adventurous would love this playground. Some areas are kind of tricky to get to, so I would suggest parent supervision while your kid is climbing, just to be safe. There is a very tall, steep slide in the middle of the park, and the only way you can get to it is by climbing and leaping and being very brave. My kid managed to get to it eventually, but I noticed that a lot of kids needed help. Water fountains for people and pets are just outside the playground, but bathrooms are a short (maybe 1-2 minute) walk north toward Burgerhaus. The restrooms are free and relatively clean, and there is a baby changing table in the women's restroom. We parked in that same building where the bathroom and Burgerhaus is, and it cost us $1 per hour. You can also park on the street near the canal. This playground meets up with the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, so you could also bike to it!

    Park rules and hours
    Katie S.

    A really fun and beautifully built play place with challenging courses for 5-12 year olds. The park has many rope courses a large tube slide along with a small rock climbing wall.

    Welcome sign...and the rules
    Jess F.

    Fun play space along the canal walk! This park has it all. An area for the littles as well as something fun for the older kids. The floor beneath the play space is rubberized. Perfect setting for this playground. There is a public restroom within a short walk. Always important with kids around. Be sure to check out this park as you enjoy the canal walk.

    Amy G.

    A fun park with lots of climbing opportunities. I have an 8 year old and a 2.5 year old so I'll base the review around them. The 8 year old is athletic and usually has no hesitation to climb the largest structure in at any given park. At this playground, she hesitated several times and asked for help. After we had been there awhile she had a lot of fun exploring and pushing her limits. The surface is a rubber like surface with quite a lot of give and bounce to it. Not only a good surface if you fall but also no mud. The 2 year old enjoyed the smaller slide that is built into a hill. He also enjoyed sending you cars down it. If it wasn't overcast today the metal slide would have been way too hot to use. I would suggest bringing a towel or something for them to use when sliding. He enjoyed trying to climb a couple rungs of a rope ladder. However, in another year or two I could see it being frustrating as he wouldn't be able to keep up with the big kids. No traditional baby or kid swings. Instead there were the disc rope swings that could fit a child or two. Parking is a con if you aren't already in the vicinity. We did metered street parking on Senate and walked a block or two on the cultural trail to reach the playground. Overall pros: - very clean and equipment was in perfect condition - next to the canal so great for a walk, people watching or just relaxing while listening to the water (could be a con though if you have an escape artist who is drawn to water as there is only a few bushes to separate the playground from the "sidewalk" area next to the canal) - great spot for kids who love to climb and want a challenge - several good sized benches for adults to sit and watch the kids play Overall cons: - only a small amount of shade around the perimeter on one side - drinking fountain available, but it wasn't working today - parking isn't convenient (see above) - not a lot for toddlers to do, but might be a huge challenge to a child around 3-6 that isn't comfortable with a lot of climbing and would prefer a more traditional park We saw a sign for restrooms but didn't need to visit.

    Ken N.

    If your kids are old enough to enjoy climbing and sliding (and bouncing around on a spongy surface), then they may love this new park that opened in Nov 2018. It's located just north of the USS Indianapolis Memorial on the canal. I also found some affordable street parking during the week on Senate by Walnut Street (about $1 per hour) that is just a short distance away. The park has a blue theme due to the involvement of the Colts supporting the park. There is a lot of emphasis on getting outside to play, so I understand the endless varieties of webbed rope paths around the park. They also have a couple slides and a fortress to climb up into. There are some swings too. I didn't see any kids playing during my weekday visit since it was so cold, so I am curious how the kids will play on the elevated tarps and sections of tarp that are stretched between tubular rails. Are the steps? Are they seats? They are spaced about a step apart, but since they are elevated several feet in the air, I was puzzled about how kids will interpret what to do with them. I'm pretty sure most kids will walk on them and inevitably, some will fall through. Oh well, sports can be challenging! I would have really enjoyed this as a kid. I hope that visitors to the canal will take time to check it out. Note: They do have a large stretched tarp for shade since the trees in the area aren't big enough yet to offer shade. Note 2: There isn't much for little kids who would have difficulty climbing the ropes. Note 3: Restrooms are not on site, but are open to the public a few blocks away. Review #1714

    One of the swings!
    Mackenzie R.

    This park is definitely for climbers! They have plenty of options like ropes and swings that lead up to a tall slide! They do have a smaller slide for the littler ones. My little sister is not much of a heights fan so we were limited to the swings and some of the lower ropes. The lack of mulch is a plus! There is a large grassy area where you will find tons of doggos enjoying their days with their owners. We park at the end of the canal near the IU building on the street which isn't a far walk but I know others park nearby the park. There are benches for people to sit and a water fountain. Overall great park and a great addition to the canal!

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    7 years ago

    Awesome spot. kids love it. only negative is the water fountain. its been broken for 2 months. PLEASE FIX

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    Review Highlights - Colts Canal Playspace

    The park is just off the Cultural Trail and Canal Walk so that you can take a walk when you are done playing.

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    Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens - Dragon for the castles  and dragon theme this year.

    Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens

    4.6(150 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    This is a great spot for locals and visitors alike! We stopped by from out of town thinking it…read morewould be a good winter activity for our little one while it's too cold to walk much outside. The conservatory exceeded our expectations! Admissions is affordable at $5 per person, but it was free the day we visited because of a reptile show! We got to see tortoises, skinks, salamanders, tarantulas, snakes, and more! Inside the conservatory, there are fish and a couple other critters permanently on display. The signage around the gardens is informative and interesting- and the plants are simply beautiful! So well cared for and healthy. I could have walked around the loop 5 times and noticed new things each time. There are several places to sit and relax throughout the gardens (we fed our baby on one of the benches). There is a restroom and coat racks- which you'll need because the gardens are quite warm! What a great find for the afternoon! Bonus that it's located right in a park, by a library, several cute places to stop and eat, and public art. The only downside I can think of is that there wasn't a ton of parking- probably more accessible when there isn't a special event going on!

    There is something about plants and nature that brighten up my mood. I came here on a gloomy rainy…read moreday, and it was the perfect decision to lift up my spirits. It's close to the highway so easy access and near my house - double plus. The admission to get in was $4 per person, and they take card - another plus for being inexpensive. They have plants for sale and host events/activities, the lady working was friendly and explained all of that. They have brochures in the front as well. Inside is so astonishing, there is so much to see. It's so beautiful, I adore and admire all of it. I love how things are labeled and have informational tidbits about the plants. They have ponds with live fish and waterfalls around. They have a restroom and it had a window so of course there is a plant inside, I love it. I'll have to take note next time I go here that it was very warm inside, I felt very hot so dress accordingly. There is parking available. Check hours before coming, holidays vary.

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    Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens
    Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens
    Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens

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    Holliday Park - Bird at the ruins

    Holliday Park

    4.7(149 reviews)
    6.5 mi

    It's been a decade since my last review of Holliday Park, so it's time for an update. I've been…read morevisiting this park since I moved to Indiana more than 10 years ago, and it had stayed reliably the same, until recently. Now, there's a brand-new playground! The playground at Holliday Park has been completely redesigned as of November 2025. The new playground is nature-inspired, with lots of wooden elements. My favorite part of the playground is the loose parts area, where kids can make teepees and build forts with the collection of natural elements that are there: sticks, tree limbs, stumps, rope, wooden crates, straw and other things that allow kids to use their imagination to create. The playground is designed for all ages, but to me, it skews slightly in favor of younger kids. Which is nice for parents of younger children, because most playgrounds seems to be built for older kids. But there are some elements for older kids here, like the huge rope climbing structure. A niggling thing: There is zero shade on the playground now. None. Which isn't a big deal on overcast or cool days, but once summer comes around, this playground is going to be insufferable. They got rid of some of the trees that used to be where the new playground is, which is a shame. One cool thing, though, that I've never seen in any other playground: hammocks! There's an area near the trees with a bunch of hammocks that kids can lie in and just relax under the trees. The rest of Holliday Park is the same. There's still a splash pad by The Ruins during the summer. There's still a nice nature center. There are still lots of trails to explore. This is one of the best parks in Indianapolis, in my opinion.

    Holliday has to be my favorite park in Indy! It truly has everything. Beautiful views, trails,…read moregardens, and plenty of space to explore. It's also such a perfect spot for a picnic with lots of shade. I love bringing my pups here when I can. The trails aren't too difficult for them, so we usually manage a couple. There are some stair sections (a few are somewhat long), which can be tough for one of my seniors, so I do end up carrying him. Overall, just a lovely park through and through.

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    Holliday Park - It's hard to beat their nature center.

    It's hard to beat their nature center.

    Holliday Park - Squirrels on trail 2 along the river

    Squirrels on trail 2 along the river

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    Indianapolis Canal Walk

    Indianapolis Canal Walk

    4.5(206 reviews)
    0.5 miMile Square

    Goodness, have I walked the canal about 50 times now?!…read more It's such a unique experience for Indy to have some water space in the middle of the city. This 3 mile loop will take you from 11th Street down to White River State Park to access the green space and extra trails down there. The canal water itself is not super cute, where there can be litter, and the water is rather opaque. They do drain the canal every so often to keep it from getting too uncute. The sidewalks are kept nicer, though a few spots in front of apartment buildings could use some TLC. There are also a few spots where the sidewalk is not level, so take caution if that is an issue. It's mostly stair access to the canal, but I *think* I've seen an elevator around the Ohio street basin. The canal has a few businesses along it for your merriment. Notably, there is Fresco on the Canal (I have a separate review for this) which is open March-October. Eiteljorg museum cafe is open daily around the lunch hours (11-3) and can be accessed through their patio gate. Entertainment wise, there is more going on. I've done the swan boat rentals, where you can pedal around on the canal. This is quite a workout! Rental of swan boats and kayaks is near the Ohio Street basin. There is also the gondolas, where your gondolier can sing, and they've always sounded marvelous. There's also a few stations for the Pacers Bikeshare around the canal, which is free for Marion County residents. Any time the weather is right, you can find me getting my steps in!

    Nice river walk nearby center city area. It's refreshing looking at the water flowing through…read more We saw some fishes so definitely clean water for the city. Love the greens, bridges, arts around it. It would better with warmer weather for sure. I couldn't walk far because of the cold. But overall I love the scenery.

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    Indianapolis Canal Walk
    Indianapolis Canal Walk
    Indianapolis Canal Walk - Look for this tall colorful mosaic to start your canal adventure!

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    Look for this tall colorful mosaic to start your canal adventure!

    White River State Park

    White River State Park

    4.7(109 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    White River State Park is one of the most popular parks in the city, and for good reason! The…read morenickname for it is Indy's backyard. With riverfront and canal-front trails, a pedestrian bridge to the zoo, proximity to the city, and the amphitheater, so much goes on down here. Over the years, my favorite special events have been the food truck festival and the solar eclipse festival. The area is kept to be pedestrian friendly, with parking being underground to the park and wide walking and biking lanes. During warmer weather, I often see a hotdog vendor for a nice and easy lunch. There's lots of sculptures around the park too, which helps to keep things scenic. There's also a huge lawn space for running around.

    This park is such a gem! As I write this review while listening to "Here Comes The Sun" by The…read moreBeatles, I feel like I'm right back walking through the beautiful pathways and taking in skyline views. From the canal and trails to the open green spaces, there's something here for everyone to enjoy. Plenty of smaller festivals and walks/runs are held at this park, and it truly seems like the perfect spot for them. My favorite festival that happens here is the Taste of Indy, which takes place in the summer and the MS Walk is always a well organized event here. I also really enjoy walking the paths behind the zoo, especially in the spring when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom. Absolutely gorgeous! Ps - As beautiful as it is, be sure to stay alert while on the pathways!

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    White River State Park - Finish by Terrence Karpowicz.

    Finish by Terrence Karpowicz.

    White River State Park
    White River State Park

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    Colts Canal Playspace - parks - Updated May 2026

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