Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Starting in the 70's on I used to stay in downtown Duluth and walk/jog to Canal Park. It was one rough area for sure. I remember the bars, auto junkyards, warehouses etc. They started the improvements in the 80's and before then you wouldn't even think of bringing your wife or family down there. It's a million times better than ever and if parking is a bit of a challenge I consider that a success. I'd much rather see people visit the area than have it revert to what it was.

Visiting Canal Park in the 1960's I saw a grimy industrial area with many warehouses along with many auto junkyards. It didn't seem to have all that much in bars and other seedy businesses. Where the Lake Walk is junkyards were piled high with cars, with some falling into the lake. The park itself was always well maintained and visitor friendly. The Garfield Ave. area to the west, was much more seedy than Canal Park. Garfield Ave. connects with the bridge to Superior and runs along rows of grain elevators, coal docks, and railroad yards, the perfect place in the 1950's and earlier for bars, etc. to entertain the sailors. This area, unlike Canal Park, was a real ghetto area, and rough. It got torn out in the 1960's, and not much has replaced its past, but looks better. Canal Park was ideal for the development that has taken place. Parking costs, but so far is reasonable. The trick for a boatwatching is to know before you get there, what ships are going to pass, then go early.

I started going to Canal Park in the early 80s.I have seen the changes that have been made and sorry to say It was better than, it is now.It use to be RV Friendly and you could spent time and Use the eating places and the shops.When they changed the Canel Parking lot to charge to park there ended any room to get a Trailer or Motor home in the Lot.So since that has happened we just sail through Duluth on the Freeway and head to Two Harbors.I know they want a RVer to Park in thier Decca Parking lot and pay a big price.The traffic gets so bound up if you do come with a car That you end up driving around looking for a place to Park a Car.

I have been going to Duluth since 1984 and it still amazes me the changes the Canal Park area has gone through (good and bad). Does anyone have pictures or stories to share of the "rougher" side back before it became a tourist meca?

I have memories of running down to an old motorcycle shop east from where Red Lobster is now, getting a chain for my Bultaco. It was a rough looking area.