Explore resident ideas
Every idea residents submitted to Ideas in Action in 2024–25, 2025–26 and 2026–27. Search the words residents used, or narrow by cycle, theme, neighborhood, language or how the idea was submitted.
Themes grouped with AI from resident idea text. English titles and summaries written with AI.
3,748 ideas
- Physical barrier to protect cyclists at Boylston turnResident asks for a quick-build concrete barrier to stop left-turning cars from clipping cyclists waiting at the light on Boylston, where turning cars create crash risk.2026–27Back BayPedestrian & bike safety
- Permanent seed library for vegetables and native plantsResident requests a permanent seed library for vegetable or native plants so residents can grow plants regardless of how much space they have.2026–27City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Immigrant history merry-go-roundResident proposes a permanent carousel featuring notable immigrants who shaped Boston instead of horses, to share an often overlooked part of the city's history.2026–27East BostonArts & culture
- Control geese population along Charles River parksResident asks for effective control of the overpopulated, aggressive geese along Charles River parks to keep green spaces safe and clean.2026–27City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Cut the program and reduce property taxesResident suggests eliminating the participatory budgeting program and using the $2 million to reduce property taxes, calling such programs nice to have rather than essential.2026–27City-wideOther or unclear
- Neighborhood Arts Activation Fund for local artistsResident proposes a fund supporting local artists and cultural groups to produce free performances, workshops, public art and events, prioritizing under-utilized neighborhoods and historically excluded artists.2026–27City-wideArts & culture
- World Unity Landmark with the Sun PoemResident supports the World Unity Landmark showcasing the Sun Poem as a symbol of equality with a message that can impact everyone.2026–27City-wideArts & culture
- World Unity Landmark showing the Sun PoemResident proposes building a World Unity Landmark displaying the Sun Poem to encourage self-reflection and reduce unconscious bias and prejudice.2026–27South BostonArts & culture
- Quick-build bus platforms pilotResident proposes a pilot of quick, low-cost bus platforms to cut stop time, reduce bike conflicts and add parking, benefiting mostly lower-income and minority bus riders.2026–27City-wideTransit & getting around
- Dynamic parking pricing pilot in Allston VillageResident proposes a pilot of dynamically priced parking and curb management in Allston Village to reduce double parking that slows buses, with extra revenue for equity investments.2026–27AllstonTransit & getting around
- City-run sidewalk snow removal with bobcatsResident asks the city to use bobcats to clear snow from sidewalks for all residents, since not all landlords can remove or hire out snow removal.2026–27City-wideStreet & sidewalk repair
- Child seats or scooter option for BluebikesResident asks the city to study adding child seats or a scooter option to Bluebikes, since parents with small children are currently excluded.2026–27City-wideTransit & getting around
- Free outdoor activity rentals in East BostonResident asks for easy-access outdoor activities in East Boston, such as kayaks and pedal boats in summer and sledding and snowshoes in winter, via lottery or free rentals for lower-income households.2026–27East BostonRecreation facilities & sports
- School-year youth jobs for ages 14-18Resident asks for a school-year youth jobs program through community organizations for ages 14-18, replacing cut funding, so working-class youth of color can earn income.2026–27City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Desalination plants and water reuse legislationResident asks for desalination plants and pipelines, plus legislation allowing plug-in solar and reuse of sink and shower water, to address drought.2026–27City-wideOther or unclear
- City funding for shelters' health and daily needsResident asks for city funding to the roughly 40 Boston shelters to support residents' health, hygiene, meals and daily activities so they do not fall further into hardship.2026–27City-wideHomelessness & shelter
- Affordable housingResident asks for affordable housing because most people cannot afford market prices and end up in poor, unhealthy housing.2026–27City-wideAffordable housing & rent stabilitySubmitted in Portuguese
- Office to help apply for Medicare, SNAP and RAFTResident asks for an office helping young and older people apply for benefits like Medicare, SSA, SNAP and RAFT, especially those who struggle with computers, in all languages.2026–27City-wideImmigrant & language support
- More trash bins, recycling education and pickupsResident asks for more bins in high-traffic areas, recycling education and more frequent trash pickup to reduce litter and neighborhood neglect.2026–27City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Free food forest in Allston-BrightonResident proposes a free food forest in Allston-Brighton to add green and garden space and fresh, affordable, culturally relevant produce in a paved, lower-income area.2026–27AllstonParks, trees & climate
- Hydrant-connected sprinklers as cooling stationsResident proposes connecting sprinklers to fire hydrants for summer cooling stations, prioritizing heat-island areas like Chinatown, Roxbury and East Boston and places where vulnerable people gather.2026–27City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Shade and water fountains at all playgroundsResident asks for shade structures and water fountains at every playground because hot equipment and lack of shade or water risk sunburn and heat exhaustion.2026–27City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Neighborhood Fresh Food Hubs with culturally relevant foodResident proposes neighborhood Fresh Food Hubs offering convenient fresh, healthy, culturally appropriate food, with food rescue partnerships to cut waste and improve nutrition.2026–27City-wideFood access
- Accessible Harvard Bridge–Esplanade connection with bike lane linkResident asks to adapt the Harvard Bridge and Esplanade connection to be wheelchair accessible and link directly to bike lanes, since few footbridges to the Esplanade are ADA compliant.2026–27Back BayStreet & sidewalk repair
- Concrete barriers for a citywide bike networkResident asks for investment in concrete bike lane barriers to build a connected citywide network, making biking safer, especially for young people.2026–27City-widePedestrian & bike safety