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
- Free enrichment classes and swim lessons for youthOffer free or subsidized music, sports and enrichment classes and free swim lessons at all levels, since costs are out of reach for many families.2026–27City-wideYouth programs & schools
- Clean & Green Boston initiativeReduce litter and graffiti, add native landscaping for flood resilience, and improve bus stops and bicycle amenities, focusing on underserved neighborhoods.2026–27City-wideClean streets & restrooms
- Widen narrow North End sidewalksWiden sidewalks on several North End streets, continuously or with passing spaces, to meet ADA guidelines because people with mobility challenges are being injured.2026–27North EndStreet & sidewalk repair
- Miyawaki micro forests to cool neighborhoodsPlant micro forests on small vacant city lots to cool heat islands and filter air in Roxbury, Dorchester and other areas lacking tree canopy.2026–27City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Direct funds to non-exam BPS schoolsSend funding to Boston Public Schools, with less going to exam schools, to improve school quality and raise graduation and college acceptance rates.2026–27City-wideYouth programs & schools
- Miyawaki micro forests in empty lotsPlant Miyawaki micro forests on empty lots to support diverse plants and wildlife and lower local temperatures.2026–27City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Indigenous-partnered native food and medicine plant havensPartner with indigenous communities to replace invasive plants with Miyawaki-style native plantings for food and medicine, with informational placards and funding for their stewardship.2026–27City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Rehabilitate Ronan Park and nearby neighborhood amenitiesRenovate Ronan Park and the Bowdoin and Percival corner park, with brick sidewalks, acorn lights, more seating and pickleball/tennis courts for safer all-ages activity.2026–27DorchesterParks, trees & climate
- Property tax relief for owners and tenantsProvide property tax relief because recent double-digit hikes are unaffordable for owners and tenants, without shifting the burden onto commercial properties.2026–27City-wideOther or unclear
- Plant more shade treesPlant more trees for shade in hot weather, especially in Brighton, Allston, Dorchester and Roxbury, which have far less tree cover than suburbs.2026–27City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Repave the streetsRepave city streets for safety.2026–27BrightonStreet & sidewalk repair
- More chain restaurants like Chick-fil-A and CanesResident asks for more restaurants such as Chick-fil-A, Canes and Playa Bowls so people can make friends over meals.2026–27DorchesterOther or unclearSubmitted in Korean
- Add Playa Bowls, Chick-fil-A and StarbucksResident asks for specific private restaurant and coffee chains to open in the city.2026–27DorchesterOther or unclearSubmitted in Korean
- More trash cans to reduce litteringAdd more trash cans around the city to reduce littering.2026–27City-wideClean streets & restroomsSubmitted in Korean
- More basketball courtsBuild more basketball courts so everyone can enjoy playing basketball.2026–27DorchesterRecreation facilities & sportsSubmitted in Korean
- Make sidewalks more evenLevel uneven sidewalks so people do not trip and fall.2026–27City-wideStreet & sidewalk repairSubmitted in Korean
- Entrepreneurship training programOffer entrepreneurship training to bring new businesses to the community and keep money circulating locally longer.2026–27City-wideAdult jobs & small business
- Hot tub at Mirabella PoolAdd a hot tub at the North End's Mirabella Pool so swimmers can warm up after cold-water swim lessons and neighbors can socialize.2026–27North EndRecreation facilities & sports
- Indoor public pool at Hyde Park BCYFConvert the aging outdoor sprinkler area at the BCYF Hyde Park Community Center into an indoor pool, since the neighborhood has none and the nearby YMCA is costly.2026–27Hyde ParkRecreation facilities & sports
- University student-designed street improvement projectsPartner with local universities so their students can design small-scale street improvement projects for the city.2026–27City-wideStreet & sidewalk repair
- Frisbee golf nets at a city parkInstall frisbee golf nets at a city park as a cheap and accessible recreation activity.2026–27RoxburyRecreation facilities & sports
- Outdoor exercise equipment in city parksInstall outdoor fitness equipment in city parks so residents in all neighborhoods have free access to exercise equipment.2026–27RoxburyRecreation facilities & sports
- Portable home village for people experiencing homelessnessBuy about 1,000 portable homes to form a small village for homeless residents, with social workers on hand to help them regain independence.2026–27City-wideHomelessness & shelter
- Shade and seating on hot sidewalksResident asks for benches, shade structures and street trees along sidewalks and plazas in heat-island neighborhoods like Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan so elders, children and workers can rest in extreme heat.2026–27City-wideParks, trees & climate
- Sunday Open Streets on neighborhood commercial corridorsResident proposes recurring Sunday open streets in Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury and Hyde Park with local vendors, music and family programming, funding logistics, permits and stipends for local organizations.2026–27City-widePedestrian & bike safety