“We at Frank’s believe in the power of public spaces to transform a city. When our spaces are open and accessible, our city is too.“

The Azure Road Take

Indianapolis has become America’s newest river city after massive redevelopment and cleanup efforts that took more than a decade. Frank’s Paddlesports Livery (named after founder Peter Bloomquist’s late dog) is pioneering efforts to make outdoor river recreation a thing in Indianapolis, with a fleet of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and canoes for rent. Play trash bingo along the way to earn gift cards toward your next paddle trip. Bloomquist is an outdoor enthusiast who believes spending time on rivers and in nature has positive effects on mental health

Who’s it for?

Nature and bird lovers will enjoy the peaceful time on the water and chance to spot bald eagles, osprey, turtles, coyotes, deer and blue herons. Families looking for an affordable and active way to enjoy Indianapolis. Children 10 and up can take a paddleboard or solo kayak while younger children must be in a tandem kayak or canoe.

Sustainability Chops

The White River Vision Plan to restore the river’s ecology and environment aims to protect communities from flooding, bring back native plant, fish, and wildlife populations and encourage safe outdoor recreation. Originally named the Wapahani River by the Miami Nation, the river stretches across Central Indiana and has a rough past. When it was deemed too shallow to be used for import and export purposes, extreme pollution and environmental racism damaged the river and community over many decades. In 2011, a $2 billion underground river cleanup project started under Citizens Energy’s prevue, called Dig Indy. Water levels are now considered recreationally clean for boating and fishing, although not yet for swimming.

Frank’s Paddlesports Livery has launched a Blueways Initiative in collaboration with The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis and other partners, aimed at fostering equitable access to Indianapolis’ streams and rivers through recreational paddling. With funding made possible from Citizens Energy Group, Guggman Haus Brewery and Friends of White River, members of the Riverside and Haughville neighborhoods receive 75% discounts on rentals and guided tours.

“We at Frank’s believe in the power of public spaces to transform a city,” Bloomquist says. “It is our view that the White River is inherently Indianapolis’ predominant public space, due to it being deemed a navigable river. No one gets to own it. People need access to the rivers and we aim to give it to them! When our spaces are open and accessible, our city is too,” he says.

All customers receive mesh bags for any trash they might generate on their trip. “We sort the trash and recycling out of the bags and dispose of it properly,” Bloomquist says. “And as long as the mesh bags remain in good shape, we also wash and re-use them for additional customers.”

Bloomquist hosts guided group canoe clean-ups of the watershed four times each year and offers customers gift cards towards their next paddling adventure when they voluntarily hunt for items of refuse during their paddle trips playing trash bingo.

Location, Topography, and Highlights

You’ll take a shuttle to one of two launch points – either Rocky Ripple for a shorter four-mile trip or Broad Ripple for a longer seven-mile trip. You’re welcome to bring your own drinks too, just no glass or styrofoam and no more than one alcoholic beverage per adult per hour. Kayaks are by far the most popular rental and the fastest way to navigate the river. They’re easier to paddle compared to canoes for beginners, and much faster than paddleboards.

The White River is very calm, and there are only a couple shallow places with little riffles (shallower, faster moving sections of a stream) where you’ll need to be careful not to get stuck on rocks. All ages and abilities can tackle this adventure, and if you get tired at any point, it’s nice to just sit back, soak up the sun and listen to the chirping birds, rustling leaves and sounds of nature. Definitely wear sunscreen since you’ll be out on the water for a few hours. I missed the gap between my yoga leggings and shoes, and developed an unseemly ankle bracelet tan.

You’ll paddle past Newfields nature and art museum, although it’s not possible to park and explore the sculpture park just yet. Bloomquist says that constructing a dock here is one of his many goals for future expansion.

How to Prepare

If you’re in decent shape, there’s no need for special preparations for the shorter four-mile trip. The friendly young team are all veterans from last year (impressive employee retention for a new business!) and will help you launch your kayak or canoe and pull you ashore once you arrive back at the Riverside boat livery. My forearms were a bit sore after paddling against the wind for three hours, but it’s not a race and they’re pretty laissez-faire about rental times. Feel free to bring your dog, too. They generally fare best in canoes.

Guide Service

While most guests opt to rent kayaks, guided tours are also available if you’re not too comfortable kayaking, paddling, or canoeing on your own. You can’t get lost though – Frank’s Livery Paddlesports building is right on the water with a green roof in Riverside Regional Park. Occasionally, they offer special guided tours, like a boats and brews event in collaboration with Guggman Haus Brewing, and there’s an option for a private group tour with a cookout lunch on a river islet.