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
- Improve parks and athletic fields in lower-income areasResident asks for improved parks and athletic fields for youth, focusing on lower-income communities like Franklin Park, with free or low-cost sports programming.2024–25City-wideRecreation facilities & sports
- Pilot biochar program from organic wasteResident proposes a pilot program turning organic waste into biochar to improve soil, support tree canopy growth and reduce carbon footprint.2024–25City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Shift from car-dependent to transit and bike infrastructureResident asks the city to prioritize public transit and bike- and pedestrian-friendly paths over car-dependent infrastructure to improve access and opportunity.2024–25City-wideTransit & getting around
- Needle and sharps drop-off in Allston-BrightonResident asks for one or two sharps drop-off sites in Allston-Brighton, the only neighborhood without one, so used needles are disposed of safely.2024–25BrightonHealth care access
- Cover the gap between camp and schoolResident asks for funding to extend camp or add program capacity so children and youth have care until school begins.2024–25City-wideYouth programs & schools
- More green space and trees in ChinatownResident asks for more green and open recreational spaces and more tree canopy in Chinatown to offset poor air quality and past environmental injustice.2024–25ChinatownParks, trees & climate
- Support for unhoused youth, mental health, jobsResident asks for resources for unhoused youth, youth mental health support and youth jobs to help those without systemic advantages.2024–25City-wideHomelessness & shelter
- Year-round youth jobs and higher minimum wageResident asks for youth jobs that run all year without stopping and a higher minimum wage.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Mental health help for community youthResident asks for mental health support for youth, arguing that helping them now leads to stable adults.2024–25City-wideMental health & substance use
- Program for youth facing homelessnessResident asks for a program to support youth who are experiencing homelessness.2024–25City-wideHomelessness & shelter
- Access to year-round youth jobsResident asks that youth have access to year-round youth jobs.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Year-round youth jobs with fair payResident asks for year-round youth jobs with higher wages to help youth and their families.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Youth mental health support and affordable housingResident asks for mental health resources and contracts for young people and families who can't afford therapy, plus affordable housing, and urges using the full $5 million.2024–25DorchesterMental health & substance use
- Physically protect Mass Ave east-side bike laneResident asks for physical separation of the unprotected bike lane on the east side of Mass Ave, which cars constantly park in.2024–25Back BayPedestrian & bike safety
- Year-round youth jobs with higher wagesA youth worker asks for year-round youth jobs with higher pay, since low wages and months without work leave income gaps for their family.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- More year-round youth jobsResident asks for more youth jobs, including year-round positions.2024–25City-wideYouth jobs & fellowships
- Youth mental health grants; use full $5 millionResident asks for resources and grants for youth mental health care and for spending the full $5 million participatory budgeting fund rather than $2 million.2024–25City-wideMental health & substance use
- Hygiene and resource spaces for unhoused peopleResident asks for spaces with showers, bathrooms, kitchen and lockers for unhoused people, even without beds, serving also as a central place for resources.2024–25City-wideHomelessness & shelter
- Seasonal outdoor cinema at Piers ParkResident asks for a summer outdoor movie screen in Piers Park since East Boston has no cinema, including foreign language films reflecting immigrant communities.2024–25East BostonArts & culture
- Upgrade Silver Line to true BRTResident asks to upgrade the Silver Line to real bus rapid transit standards, noting it was promised to be equal or better than the Orange Line.2024–25RoxburyTransit & getting around
- New crosswalk on Amory StreetResident asks for a new crosswalk on Amory Street aligned with the Southwest Corridor Park entrance and the south side of Cornwall.2024–25Jamaica PlainPedestrian & bike safety
- Connect Commercial Street and Causeway bike pathsResident asks to extend the Commercial Street bike path so it connects to the existing path on Causeway Street.2024–25North EndPedestrian & bike safety
- Make Newbury Street pedestrian priorityResident asks to make Newbury Street pedestrian-priority at all times, limiting vehicles to deliveries during off hours, as in other major cities.2024–25Back BayPedestrian & bike safety
- Mid-block crosswalks along Commonwealth Mall pathResident asks for mid-block crosswalks aligned with the Commonwealth Mall path so pedestrians aren't directed to corners to cross.2024–25Back BayPedestrian & bike safety
- Upgrade Comm Ave bike lanes in Back BayResident asks to upgrade the Commonwealth Avenue bike lanes so they integrate better with the mall and are more separated from vehicles.2024–25Back BayPedestrian & bike safety