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
- Senior citizen video story archiveResident proposes a video archive where seniors record their stories, with the city providing space and technology, preserving knowledge and easing loneliness.2026–27City-wideArts & culture
- Tools for residents to reduce rat populationsResident says the current rat approach is not working and asks the city to provide residents with a tool or item to help reduce rats.2026–27City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Neighborhood pet resource stationsResident proposes neighborhood stations stocked with donated pet food and supplies to help families in financial hardship keep their pets and support housing stability.2026–27City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Neighborhood community free storesResident proposes free stores in each neighborhood, run with mutual aid groups and nonprofits, plus a shared webpage for exchanging items and easing donation storage burdens.2026–27City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Repair bike path between Neponset Greenway and HarborwalkResident says the path linking the Neponset Greenway and Harborwalk is a dilapidated sidewalk that is dangerous to bike on.2026–27DorchesterStreet & sidewalk repair
- More parking at Franklin ParkResident asks for additional, enhanced parking at Franklin Park to handle the new stadium and growing attendance at the golf course and zoo.2026–27DorchesterTransit & getting around
- Pedestrianize city and neighborhood centers with SuperGreenBlocksResident asks to permanently reclaim street space from cars in the historic center and neighborhood centers, creating pedestrian-first 'SuperGreenBlocks' as in Barcelona and Paris.2026–27City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Repave streets and redo sidewalks in Hyde ParkResident asks for Hyde Park streets to be replaced and sidewalks redone, saying the neighborhood is neglected, poor and has empty storefronts.2026–27City-wideStreet & sidewalk repair
- Fenced dog park on unused South Boston siteResident proposes turning an unkept, unused site in South Boston into a fenced dog park so local dog owners need not leave the neighborhood.2026–27South BostonParks, trees & climate
- Smartphone app for towing documentationResident proposes an app for tow operators to photograph vehicles and plates and submit them electronically to the city, replacing phone calls to BPD and preventing improper tow reporting.2026–27City-wideOther or unclear
- Elevated bike and pedestrian bridges at dangerous intersectionsResident proposes building elevated bike and pedestrian bridges at the busiest, most dangerous intersections to separate people from traffic and encourage walking and biking.2026–27City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Portable toilets where homeless people gatherResident asks for porta potties in areas where homeless people gather, to maintain their dignity and residents' quality of life.2026–27City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Free swimming lessons for city schoolchildrenResident asks for free swimming lessons for inner city school children to teach a life skill and prevent possible tragedies.2026–27City-wideYouth programs & schools
- Chatty Benches to reduce lonelinessResident proposes designating 'Chatty Benches' in neighborhoods where people who feel lonely or isolated can sit and chat with others.2026–27City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Child-rearing approach to build empathyResident argues social problems stem from how children are raised and wants approaches that increase empathy; refers to their own book on the subject.2026–27City-wideOther or unclear
- Subsidized rideshare and taxis to reduce trafficResident proposes a trial subsidizing rideshare and taxis to downtown, the airport, Charlestown and the Seaport to cut traffic, with long-term funding from road tolls.2026–27DowntownTransit & getting around
- Permanent green space near Macy's downtownResident proposes using the funds to create a permanent, family-friendly green space in or around the Macy's site in Downtown Crossing, which feels unappealing now.2026–27DowntownParks, trees & climate
- Free before and afterschool care and homework helpResident requests free before- and afterschool care and homework help, because school schedules make full-time work hard for parents, especially mothers, without paying for separate coverage.2026–27City-wideYouth programs & schools
- Inclusive, no-tryout afterschool sportsResident asks that afterschool sports be open to all rather than requiring tryouts, so kids can try new things without families spending large amounts.2026–27City-wideYouth programs & schools
- Mandatory swim lessons for 5th gradersResident wants to address youth drownings by partnering with the Y to make swim lessons mandatory for all fifth graders, since many city kids never learn to swim.2026–27City-wideYouth programs & schools
- Open-caption movie screenings for deaf residentsResident asks the city to pay movie theaters or libraries to host open-caption screenings, since current showings are rare and limit deaf residents' access to films.2026–27City-wideArts & culture
- Fund for renters to mason-fix foundation cracks against ratsResident proposes a fund letting renters hire masons to repair foundation cracks that harbor rats, improving health, supporting construction jobs and prioritizing local Black- and brown-owned masons.2026–27City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Free book sets for pre-K to grade 5Resident asks for a free set of books for every child from pre-K through fifth grade to encourage reading.2026–27RoxburyYouth programs & schools
- Clean Park Street station entrances and exitsResident asks that the entrances and exits to Park Street red line station be cleaned one at a time, as they are dirty and a health concern.2026–27DowntownClean streets & restrooms
- Solar panels and canopies to cut electricity billsResident proposes installing solar panels and canopies to reduce the city's environmental impact and lower residents' electricity bills.2026–27City-wideParks, trees & climate