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
- Picnic seating along the Emerald NecklaceResident asks for picnic seating throughout the Emerald Necklace so people can enjoy meals outdoors and feel more community connection.2024–25City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Smart traffic lights to ease commutesResident suggests smart traffic lights to smooth commutes and reduce idling, benefiting residents and the environment.2024–25City-wideTransit & getting around
- Make Boston more bike friendlyResident asks for a more bike-friendly Boston with fewer cars, noting biking can be faster than the train for their commute.2024–25City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Speed up bike path under Park AveResident asks the city to expedite the planned bike path extension under Park Ave to fix a dangerous intersection.2024–25FenwayPedestrian & bike safety
- Bike ramp from Esplanade to southbound Mass Ave BridgeResident asks for a ramp connecting the Esplanade to the southbound Mass Ave Bridge sidewalk so bikers avoid crowded sidewalks or crossing the busy road.2024–25FenwayPedestrian & bike safety
- Rent control plus pothole and rodent fixesResident asks for rent caps, pothole repair, rodent control, tax refunds and traffic relief, citing high cost of living.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Cleaner, safer parks and playgroundsResident asks for more trash barrels, pickup schedules and closing gates for parks near busy streets so children have clean, safe places to play, especially in low-income neighborhoods.2024–25City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Artist-designed stone fountains in each neighborhoodResident proposes one simple, non-drinking fountain per neighborhood, made of native Boston stone and designed by local artists, as community gathering places.2024–25City-wideArts & culture
- Warehouse dance venues and later nightlife hoursResident asks to convert empty warehouses into dance venues and extend last call and curfew hours to revitalize Boston's nightlife.2024–25City-wideArts & culture
- More deeply affordable housing in mixed-income buildingsResident asks the city to build more deeply affordable housing for extremely low-income households within mixed-income developments, helping workers live closer to jobs.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Clean up Sullivan Square and add outreachResident asks for weed and litter cleanup around Sullivan Square and regular social outreach for people panhandling, to improve pride, safety and walkability near transit.2024–25CharlestownClean streets & restrooms
- Fund youth hockeyResident asks for funding for youth hockey to make the sport more accessible and inclusive for underrepresented communities.2024–25City-wideYouth programs & schools
- Benches at bus and T stopsResident asks for benches at bus and T stops that lack them because elderly and disabled riders cannot stand for long waits.2024–25City-wideTransit & getting around
- Free brain health classes with MGHResident asks for free brain health classes in partnership with MGH to focus on cognitive wellbeing.2024–25City-wideOther or unclear
- Cleanup committees for Charles River parksResident asks for cleanup committees to remove accumulated dirt along the Charles River and parks for a cleaner shared space.2024–25City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- More pools and gyms in schoolsResident asks for more pools and gyms in schools so children can learn to swim and be active.2024–25City-wideRecreation facilities & sports
- App matching people for sports and tournamentsResident proposes an app that matches residents for sports activities and organizes monthly tournaments to connect diverse communities and promote physical activity.2024–25City-wideRecreation facilities & sports
- Rent control and limits on corporate landlordsResident asks for rent control in Greater Boston and limits on corporate landlords to make the city affordable, while preserving art spaces and nature.2024–25City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- More free college tuitionResident asks for expanded free college tuition beyond MassReconnect, saying debt discourages people from continuing their education.2024–25City-wideOther or unclear
- Pilot solar-powered trash compactors in ChinatownResident proposes piloting solar trash compactors in busy mixed-use areas like Chinatown to reduce overflow, pests and litter, cut fines on residents, and provide real-time waste data.2024–25City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Free public Wi-Fi on transit and in parksResident asks for high-speed public Wi-Fi on public transportation and in parks so people who cannot afford costly data plans can access information.2024–25City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- End library residency requirement for employeesResident asks the Boston Public Library to drop its residency requirement for employment, saying library wages make living in Boston unaffordable.2024–25City-wideOther or unclear
- Fund Instagram influencer promotion of local businessesResident asks for city funds to pay for promotion on their own Instagram account of local businesses, especially POC and women-owned ones, and free events.2024–25City-wideOther or unclear
- Stop illegal fireworks in neighborhoodsResident asks the city to end illegal fireworks, citing harm to animals, PTSD reactions and lost sleep.2024–25City-widePublic safety & crime prevention
- Free relationship and mental health crisis hotlineResident asks for a hotline offering free relationship therapy and rapid response to mental health and relationship crises as an alternative to police.2024–25City-wideMental health & substance use