Idle Park — Attraction in Indianapolis

I think this park is going to hit people who walk by as an oddity. Why is this here? What is the purpose?

And if you aren't familiar with the area's history, particularly in relation to the interstate highway system, then this park will seem quite odd.

There are some signs within the park that hint at the history. But basically this park is meant to unify three neighborhoods that were divided by the interstate highway system. Bates Hendricks, Fletcher Place, and Fountain Square.

And they weren't just divided, but caused an economic slump that lasted for decades.

The Fletcher Place and Fountain Square neighborhoods of today have really only been on the upswing over the last decade or so.

Now decades later, we know as residents that it is super convenient to be able to basically get in your car and get anywhere quickly. No matter where you are in Indianapolis, you likely aren't far from I-65, I-70, or I-465.

But there are social and economic costs to this. And decades later, we hopefully will have the foresight to make better decisions as we re-think our interstate highway system than we did before.

That's the context this should be put in. And so it presents a unique piece of Indianapolis history in an odd way, so you get to experience the interstate from a safe (and very, very...

I give this place five stars (rare for me) because it goes against the grain of everything. It’s hidden, yet it stands out. It’s easy to overlook, yet hard to forget. It has a simple name, yet a distinction all of its own. Indianapolis isn’t known as a quirky city, but this small park puts Indy on the map without even trying to. It’s a park with a small trail leading to...wait for it...a major interchange of two interstates. But I realized that I was looking at a moving snapshot of America. While the sound of traffic can be annoying sometimes, the hum of trucks and cars on the freeways here almost sounds like the waves of an ocean. It’s a different kind of peace here. Serenity in the middle of busyness. Slowing my mind down in the midst of speeding traffic. This park is ingenious. Kudos to all who planned and designed Idle Park. Well...

This is a beautiful, but small, park\greenspace in the Fountain Square area of Indianapolis. Free street parking is available on Virginia Avenue. If you do have to park a block or two away, the Indianapolis Culture Trail easily connects you to the park The entrance to the park is on the south side of Virginia Avenue and leads you down a brief shrubbery flanked path with several roughly cut trees that have been made into benches. At the end of the path is a set of stadium-style seats overlooking interstates 65 and 70. The seats do have a little bit of sun shade, but nothing rain proof. The space isn't geared for play, but reflection, as the...