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
- Centralized ICE activity tracking and alertsResident asks for a central system to track and notify communities of ICE activity, quick police dispatch, and a no-tolerance policy for agents refusing to identify themselves, to protect immigrant communities.2025–26City-wideImmigrant & language support
- Solar canopies over city parking lotsResident proposes adding solar canopies to city parking lots in partnership with the MBTA, providing shade and energy revenue that could fund utility bill relief for low-income residents.2025–26City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Convert unused cement lots into green spacesResident asks to turn abandoned cement lots and unused paved areas into accessible green spaces, prioritizing low-income areas, to cool the city, reduce carbon and build community connection.2025–26City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Install trash cans in neglected neighborhoodsResident asks for trash cans to be installed around the city, noting litter is more visible in some neighborhoods than others and that cleaner streets would bring equity and pride.2025–26City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Water bottle filling stations on Esplanade and CommonResident asks for water bottle filling stations along the Esplanade or on the Commons so people can access clean, cold water easily.2025–26City-wideParks, trees & climate
- More funding for programming for kids up to 18Resident has no specific project but asks for increased funding for surrounding care and programming for children and teens up to age 18.2025–26City-wideYouth programs & schools
- More bathrooms on the EsplanadeResident asks for more restrooms on the Esplanade to prevent human waste ending up in the Charles River and to help park visitors.2025–26Back BayClean streets & restrooms
- Rodent control in AllstonResident asks the city to combat rats on Allston Street and near Ringer Park, calling it a public safety and health issue.2025–26City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Teen groups to clean up trash and weedsResident asks that trash and weeds be cleared across the city and paint applied where needed, with teen groups doing the work, so residents can feel proud of their city.2025–26City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Plant trees in low-income heat-prone neighborhoodsResident asks for more trees in poorer, sparsely vegetated neighborhoods to reduce the heat island effect, lower electricity use and heat-related illness, and close the climate equity gap.2025–26City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Community clean-up events and painting projectsResident proposes organizing community clean-ups to remove trash and weeds and paint public spaces, encouraging diverse youth groups to participate and work together.2025–26City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Flower Piano public pianos on the EsplanadeResident proposes bringing a Flower Piano event to Boston, placing public pianos along the Esplanade for 10 days so community members and musicians can play in a free shared concert space.2025–26Back BayArts & culture
- Sleeping pods, veteran shelters and food programsResident asks for free sleeping pods for people experiencing homelessness, more shelters for homeless veterans, and food programs for disadvantaged residents.2025–26City-wideHomelessness & shelter
- Redevelop Fields Corner shopping centerResident asks to improve the Fields Corner shopping center to add housing, support small businesses, improve transit access, reduce trash and make the area more walkable.2025–26DorchesterAdult jobs & small business
- Incentives for BPS families for attendance and gradesResident proposes an incentive program rewarding BPS families, especially at struggling schools, whose children attend school regularly and earn high grades, to improve attendance and performance.2025–26City-wideYouth programs & schools
- More trees and public community gardensResident asks for more trees and community gardens to provide shade and free gathering places, citing the success of pocket parks around the city.2025–26City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Clean up Back Bay station and pigeonsResident asks for Back Bay station to be cleaned and improved, noting it looks dirty and is swarming with pigeons, to make transit more appealing and accessible.2025–26Back BayClean streets & restrooms
- Plant more street trees in South BostonResident asks for more trees on South Boston streets to keep areas cool and increase enjoyment of public spaces.2025–26South BostonParks, trees & climate
- Enforcement against texting drivers and crosswalk violationsResident asks for more resources for street safety, such as tracking technology and substantial fines for drivers who text or fail to stop at crosswalks, to protect seniors and children.2025–26City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- More Bluebikes stations in South BostonResident asks for additional Bluebikes stations in South Boston to make getting around more convenient and accessible.2025–26South BostonTransit & getting around
- Open indoor play hours in Carter playground domeResident asks for posted winter open hours, in blocks of at least four hours, at the Carter playground dome so people of all ages can play indoors.2025–26FenwayRecreation facilities & sports
- Mobile pop-up outdoor marketsResident proposes funding pop-up outdoor markets with food, music, crafts and local merchants to lower barriers to entrepreneurship and build community wealth in underserved neighborhoods.2025–26City-wideAdult jobs & small business
- Chinatown community mental health support networkResident asks for community peer support groups and an emergency support network in Chinatown to address pandemic-related loneliness, anxiety, job loss and grief, ensuring equitable resources for minority communities.2025–26ChinatownMental health & substance useSubmitted in Chinese
- Recycled plastic blocks for benches and garden bedsResident proposes turning unrecyclable plastic waste into durable blocks for benches, garden beds and other community features, reducing landfill waste and improving neighborhoods.2025–26City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Green space in Maverick SquareResident asks for grass, trees or planters in Maverick Square, a busy commuter area that is mostly concrete, to bring green space to an underserved immigrant community.2025–26East BostonParks, trees & climate