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Office of Participatory BudgetingIdeas in Action
2026–27 · City-wide

Chatty Benches to reduce loneliness

Resident proposes designating 'Chatty Benches' in neighborhoods where people who feel lonely or isolated can sit and chat with others.

English title and summary written with AI from the resident's text.

The resident's idea, as submitted

The idea

Loneliness and isolation is the issue this idea would address. The former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy identified loneliness as an “epidemic” that is as detrimental to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Who it helps and why

Designation of a few “Chatty Benches” in various neighborhoods would encourage those who are feeling lonely or isolated to connect and have a conversation with another person while sitting on such a bench.

Details

Cycle
2026–27
Submitted
August 2, 2026
Neighborhood
City-wide
Portal category
Human Services
How it was submitted
Individual submission
Submission language
English

Themes grouped with AI from resident idea text.

The same need in other cycles

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