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
- More neighborhood benches, including memorial donationsResident requests more benches in neighborhoods, some donated in memory of someone, to encourage walking, give older and disabled people places to rest, and help neighbors connect.2025–26City-wideOlder adult support
- More public bathrooms across the cityResident asks for more public restrooms so people can move around the city comfortably, especially unhoused people who may not feel welcome using store or hotel facilities.2025–26City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Voter engagement pop-ups in Black and Brown communitiesResident proposes pop-up events across the city where elected and appointed officials meet residents face to face, to rebuild trust and raise voter turnout in Black and Brown communities.2025–26City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Hire more parking enforcement officersResident asks the city to hire more Boston Transportation Department parking enforcement officers because drivers ignore limits, making use of scarce street parking less equitable.2025–26City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Free community AI education and training programResident proposes a community-driven program offering free AI training and workshops to underrepresented groups to build digital-economy skills and increase economic mobility.2025–26City-wideAdult jobs & small business
- Raised crosswalks along Southwest Corridor bike pathResident asks for raised crosswalks at all street intersections along the Southwest Corridor path to make biking feel safer, especially for lower-income residents without cars.2025–26Jamaica PlainPedestrian & bike safety
- More water fountains in parks and playgroundsResident asks for more accessible free water fountains in playgrounds and public parks so people can safely stay outside longer.2025–26City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Stalking education, prevention and victim supportResident says Boston lacks dedicated resources on stalking and asks for education, prevention and victim protection and recovery, noting heightened risk for Black and brown women.2025–26City-widePublic safety & crime prevention
- Housing assistance and homebuying grants for teachersResident asks for city funds for housing assistance and homebuying grants for teachers, to help diverse educators afford Boston and improve retention.2025–26City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability
- Public bathrooms at T stations without themResident asks for publicly available bathrooms at T stations lacking them, to serve people experiencing homelessness and others who need them.2025–26City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Fenced dog park in Jamaica PlainResident asks for a fenced dog park in Jamaica Plain because many dogs live there and most parks are unfenced or not dog-friendly.2025–26Jamaica PlainParks, trees & climate
- Free up Unsolved Homicide Squad time for casesResident asks to reallocate some administrative duties of the Unsolved Homicide Squad, in coordination with the DA, so detectives can work more cases and family inquiries.2025–26City-widePublic safety & crime prevention
- Fund neighborhood pedicab rides on key daysResident asks the city to fund pedicab rides in neighborhoods on key days or times, expanding beyond downtown to serve elderly people, families and others on short trips.2025–26City-wideTransit & getting around
- Civic Hack Pods for resident-led local solutionsResident proposes a hands-on program where residents, especially youth and marginalized groups, use design thinking and teamwork to develop community-driven solutions, with tools and funding.2025–26City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- More frequent 65 bus, extended to Oak SquareResident asks for more frequent 65 bus service and extending its terminus to Oak Square.2025–26BrightonTransit & getting around
- City-funded neighborhood pedicab programResident asks the city to fund pedicab drivers to offer rides within neighborhoods on set days or pilots, as an affordable, enjoyable option for elderly people and families.2025–26City-wideTransit & getting around
- Repair aging roads for pedestrian and cyclist safetyResident asks the city to repair aging roads in communities to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.2025–26ChinatownStreet & sidewalk repair
- Signal upgrades, road repair and cleaning for seniorsResident asks for improved traffic signals near senior areas, pothole repairs on busy routes, ADA-accessible sidewalks, and more frequent trash and leaf cleanup with more public bins.2025–26ChinatownPedestrian & bike safetySubmitted in Chinese
- Free seasonal reuse warehouses for household goodsResident proposes free seasonal warehouses where people drop off and browse furniture and home supplies, with a temporary pickup crew, to reduce curbside trash during moving season.2025–26City-wideLibraries, digital & civic life
- Chinatown restroom, smoother roads, parking and safetyResident asks for a public restroom near the Chinatown gate, smoother road surfaces, more parking and a new lot, and better management of homelessness to improve community safety.2025–26ChinatownClean streets & restroomsSubmitted in Chinese
- Maintain streets for pedestrian safetyResident asks for street repair and maintenance to keep pedestrians safe.2025–26City-wideStreet & sidewalk repairSubmitted in Chinese
- Repair Chinatown roadsResident asks the city to repair roads in Chinatown.2025–26ChinatownStreet & sidewalk repairSubmitted in Chinese
- Trees and reflective roofs in hottest neighborhoodsResident asks for tree planting and heat-reflecting roofs in the city's hottest areas to reduce heat disparities affecting Black and lower-income neighborhoods.2025–26City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Trees, crosswalks, bike lanes and buses for livable streetsResident asks for more trees, crosswalks, better road design, bike lanes and buses, especially in poorer and historically Black neighborhoods with less tree cover and worse sidewalks.2025–26City-widePedestrian & bike safety
- Small 2-4 unit housing on vacant lotsResident proposes building 2-4 unit housing on small vacant city lots to add housing and tax revenue with less neighborhood opposition.2025–26City-wideAffordable housing & rent stability