Interviews
These interviews were taken at the 2nd Street Basin, Scott Park, and the Engineering Quad. We asked a variety of people questions about the boneyard in short video and audio clips. They are organized below by the activity the person/people were doing before we asked them for an interview.
Walking
We met this woman as she was taking her daily walk around the Boneyard Creek. She enjoys listening to the waterfalls and wishes more native flowers were planted so there would be more bees and butterflies.
This woman visits the Boneyard everyday to walk her dog and get to work. She knows many people who congregate at the Boneyard and was knowledgeable about the water filtration system.
STUDYING
This man comes to the engineering quad roughly twice a week to read when the weather is nice. He talked about how the environment and greenery affects him positively and inspires him.
We talked to a student working on her laptop at the engineering quad. She mentioned that having nature accessible is great, and that the green space is a positive academic environment.
This student was studying on the Engineering quad, which she said she does twice a week. She thought the Boneyard provided a place to relax and take a break from working indoors. She also referenced the community that goes with having a green space on campus.
These women come to the Boneyard once a month to walk around and talk. They described the positive impact the Boneyard has on them. They mentioned photographers who often visit the area and the social impact the Boneyard has on the community.
This woman was walking in the boneyard and she said she likes to sit and watch the swans and ducks. She believed that the boneyard improved the city aesthetically.
This couple visits the Boneyard often in the morning and evenings. They expressed their preference for working and eating outside rather than inside. They speculated that they would be much more stressed if the community was all urbanized and are grateful for the green space.
This student was taking a walk through the Engineering quad. He said he comes to the Boneyard three times a week, and described the area as “peaceful” and a place where you can take a break. His favorite part of the Boneyard is when he sees animals, such as ducklings or rabbits.
This student comes to the engineering quad almost daily because he lives close by. He likes to do homework, sunbathe, and watch fish by the Boneyard. He thinks the nature improves the atmosphere on the U of I campus.
This student comes to the engineering quad almost daily because he lives close by. He likes to do homework, sunbathe, and watch fish by the Boneyard. He thinks the nature improves the atmosphere on the U of I campus.
Exercising
These woman come to the boneyard everyday to exercise. She thinks that the boneyard was a good place to get fresh air and relax.
This runner comes to the Boneyard every other day. She enjoys sitting and eating by the water. She described the area as peaceful and a good place to socialize.
EATING
This man is eating lunch at the second street basin. He thinks the Boneyard serves as an opportunity to spend time outside and socialize with friends and family. He also says the Boneyard is a great place to reflect, and referenced mental and physical health benefits that being outdoors has.
This man visits the Boneyard once a month to eat lunch. He recognizes that there are many ways in which the community can be impacted by the Boneyard, both socially and for practical purposes, such as drainage. He tries not to interact with the animals.
OTHER
This man works at the Boneyard five days a week. He describes what he does as “general maintenance,” so he completes jobs such as picking up trash and gardening.
This mother is with her two children on the playground across from second street basin. She visits this area twice a week because her children go to preschool on campus. She thinks the location of Boneyard is very convenient, being central to where she lives and where her children go to school.