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
- City snow clearing of sidewalksResident asks the city to clear snow from sidewalks as it does roadways, which would especially help lower-income residents who can't pay for shoveling.2024–25City-wideOlder adult support
- More green spaces and treesResident asks for more green space and trees in neighborhoods, believing they improve residents' health.2024–25City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Plant many more native treesResident asks for much more native tree planting, prioritizing neighborhoods lacking tree cover, to reduce heat islands.2024–25City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Paid helpers for elderly residents' tasksResident proposes a paid program connecting people willing to help seniors with tasks they need assistance with.2024–25City-wideOlder adult support
- Glass reuse facilities and plastic eliminationResident asks to shift glass recycling to washing and reuse of bottles, paired with a plastic ban, noting communities of color are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution.2024–25City-wideOther or unclear
- Electric city maintenance equipment instead of gasResident asks the city to replace gas-powered maintenance equipment like leaf blowers with electric equipment to cut NOx emissions and improve air quality, especially for low-income residents.2024–25City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Renovate Mather School playground and groundsResident asks for funding to renovate Mather Elementary's outdoor space with playgrounds, a basketball court, greenhouse, senior seating and gardens, since the area is outdated.2024–25DorchesterParks, trees & climate
- Year-round higher-paid jobs for teens and young adultsResident asks for year-round youth jobs for ages teen to 24 paying $18-24 per hour, to address higher unemployment among BIPOC youth and housing affordability.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Lighting and path repair at Chestnut Hill ReservationResident asks for more lighting around the Chestnut Hill Reservation and repair of hazardous path sections to improve safety and accessibility, especially at night.2024–25BrightonPublic safety & crime prevention
- Year-round public bathrooms next to parkResident asks for year-round public restrooms near the park, since people need facilities during games and daily use and currently use the resident's doorway.2024–25North EndClean streets & restrooms
- Decorative city lighting in all neighborhoodsResident asks for up-lighting, tree lights and color-changing seasonal lighting across the city, including neighborhoods of color and under bridges, to beautify areas that look neglected.2024–25City-wideArts & culture
- More funding for youth jobsResident asks for more money for youth jobs so young people can stay in programs that provide financial independence and keep them off the streets.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- City-funded trash pickup in AllstonResident asks the city to pay for trash pickup in Allston, citing dirty streets and a severe rat problem affecting immigrant residents.2024–25AllstonClean streets & restrooms
- Street cameras in AllstonResident asks for street cameras in Allston to reduce break-ins, which they say disproportionately affect students and immigrants.2024–25AllstonPublic safety & crime prevention
- Restore Dr. Martin Luther King School playgroundStudent asks for the school playground to be restored so students have a safe place to play over the next three years.2024–25DorchesterParks, trees & climate
- Mental health support in high schools and youth jobsResident asks for more mental health programming in high schools and at youth job sites, shaped by young people, to support BIPOC youth most affected by Covid and systemic racism.2024–25City-wideMental health & substance use
- Open Jamaica Pond to swimmingResident asks the city to allow swimming at Jamaica Pond and build out the existing beach, giving city families access to clean natural swimming like suburban lakes offer.2024–25Jamaica PlainParks, trees & climate
- Restore playground at King SchoolResident asks for restoration of the playground at the King School, 77 Lawrence Ave in Dorchester, so students can play safely.2024–25DorchesterParks, trees & climate
- Plant trees on Allston main streetsResident asks for trees on Harvard Avenue, Brighton Avenue and North Beacon Street in Allston to provide shade, reduce urban heat and absorb CO2.2024–25AllstonParks, trees & climate
- Restore King School playground in DorchesterStudent asks for restoration of the playground at the Martin Luther King Jr. School at 77 Lawrence Ave, which has never been restored.2024–25DorchesterParks, trees & climate
- More parking lots in CambridgeResident asks for more parking lots in Cambridge because commuters struggle to find safe long-term parking, which falls outside Boston's jurisdiction.2024–25UnspecifiedOther or unclear
- Evening farmers market in AllstonResident asks for an Allston farmers market with hours outside the 9-5 workday, possibly at Jackson Mann, Ringer Park or the Esplanade, to improve healthy food access and support small businesses.2024–25AllstonFood access
- Restore Martin Luther King Jr. School playgroundResident asks for restoration of the Martin Luther King Jr. School playground so students have a safe place to play, as other schools do.2024–25DorchesterParks, trees & climate
- Protected bike lanes on Washington StreetResident asks for protected bike lanes on Washington Street to Forest Hills, to provide safer and more equitable transportation access.2024–25RoslindalePedestrian & bike safety
- Crosswalk with warning lights at Foster and Rogers ParkResident asks for a pedestrian crossing with warning lights at Foster Street and Rogers Park Ave, where many people cross and drivers have poor visibility around the curve.2024–25BrightonPedestrian & bike safety