Sometimes, no matter how well you’ve got your ducks in a row, life simply gets you down. When that happens, there’s nothing like a good cry to let all the emotions flow out. There’s no better place to break down and sob than Boneyard Creek.
The nearly-four-mile tributary conveniently slices through the heart of campus, making its murky banks and tranquil waters a nearby destination for students and Champaign-Urbana residents alike. While the creek’s origins are about as hazy as its water, one thing is for certain — Boneyard Creek is an integral part of the C-U landscape.
Boneyard Creek has been around longer than the towns it sweeps through, meaning in a way, those who shed tears there unleash their emotions to the spirit of the land itself. Although the reason for the name “Boneyard” is debated — it was likely derived from animals perishing there during a cold winter or usage as a burial site by natives of the land — there’s something to be said for its grim yet serene nature, making it the perfect place to reset before carrying on with life.
