Parks, trees & climate
Consistent priorityGreen space, trees, play areas and climate and heat relief in outdoor public spaces.
Residents consistently ask for more trees and shade, cooler and better-equipped parks and playgrounds, free drinking water, and community gardens, especially in hotter, lower-canopy neighborhoods.
Theme grouped and summary written with AI from this theme's resident ideas.
411 ideas across three cycles
| Cycle | Ideas | Share of all ideas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 129 | 10.6% | 2 of 20 |
| 2025–26 | 133 | 11.1% | 2 of 20 |
| 2026–27 | 149 | 11.3% | 1 of 20 |
Needs that keep coming back
More street trees in low-canopy, hot neighborhoods
Residents ask the City to plant and maintain trees where canopy is thin and pavement is heavy, citing heat, air quality and equity for low-income areas and communities of color.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Community gardens and food-growing space
Residents want community gardens, food forests and fruit trees, often on vacant or underused lots, to improve fresh food access and create gathering places.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Free drinking water fountains
Residents ask for more public water fountains in parks, playgrounds and busy streets, especially for hot days and for people who cannot afford bottled water.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Better parks and playgrounds for kids and families
Residents ask for new, cleaner and upgraded parks and playgrounds with age-appropriate play options, particularly in neighborhoods that feel underserved.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Shade, seating and cooling relief in public spaces
Residents ask for shaded benches, misting or splash features and cooling spots so seniors, children and workers can stay outdoors safely during heat.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
2024–25
Tree planting for heat and air quality dominated, with strong interest in Chinatown, Allston and Brighton, plus Miyawaki tiny forests, community gardens and dog parks.
2025–26
Food forests, water fountains, cooling features such as misting and splash pads, and more kids' parks stood out, along with proactive city tree planting and yard waste pickup for gardens.
2026–27
Shade structures over playgrounds and at bus stops, cooling stations, drinking fountains and tree canopy in East Boston and other hot neighborhoods were prominent, alongside solar panel ideas.
New in 2026–27
Shade structures and sails over playgrounds, shade at bus stops and plazas, and hydrant-fed sprinklers or cooling stations are much more prominent, with solar panels on public buildings and parking lots also growing.
Funding so far
The funded community garden grants and the Green My Block greening of city-owned spaces speak to the recurring garden and greening asks, but no winning project yet addresses street tree planting, drinking fountains, playground upgrades and shade, or cooling relief.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
Community Gardens in Neighborhoods with Limited Affordable Food Access
2024–25 · $500,000
This proposal will offer grants to nonprofit organizations to build community gardens on underutilized land for public access and use.
Green My Block
2025–26 · $100,000
This proposal transforms underutilized city-owned spaces along roadways and sidewalks through community-led greening initiatives.
Departments that often lead this work
- Parks & Recreation
- Environment Department
Suggested with AI; not an official assignment of responsibility.
Ideas in Parks, trees & climate
25 ideas
2024–25: 12 · 2025–26: 5 · 2026–27: 8 (of 411 in this theme)
- 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.2026–27Dorchester
- Street trees access for rentersResident asks for landlord incentives or another way for renters to get street trees planted, since shaded-poor, renter-heavy areas have no say in requesting trees.2026–27Dorchester
- Native pollinator garden near Malibu BeachResident requests a designated native pollinator garden near the Malibu Beach area to support native plants and pollinators, which also help food security.2026–27Dorchester
- More street trees on lower Pleasant StreetResident asks to expand street tree coverage on lower Pleasant Street and nearby streets, where mostly renters live, to help reduce the heat island effect.2026–27Dorchester
- More trees at AshmontAsks for more trees to be planted at Ashmont.2026–27Dorchester
- Plant more trees to combat heatThe resident asks for more tree planting to help reduce heat.2026–27DorchesterSubmitted in Korean
- Better parks and facilities for youthThe resident asks for improved facilities for young people, such as better parks.2026–27DorchesterSubmitted in Korean
- Native plantings and garden club in neighborhoodResident asks for native plantings, more tree canopy and pollinators, covering bare soil and hot surfaces, food growing, and a garden club, citing low-income households and diverse students.2026–27DorchesterSubmitted in Korean
- More parks and more resources for youthResident asks for more parks and more resources for young people.2025–26DorchesterSubmitted in Spanish
- Build Dorchester Greenway over Red Line capBuild a linear park and path above the Red Line tunnel cap in Dorchester to expand healthy outdoor space and safe walking and biking routes.2025–26Dorchester
- Restore parks, fix potholes, and expand affordabilityResident asks to restore parks for children, fix street potholes, and provide affordable housing and health insurance for low-income residents in a diverse neighborhood.2025–26Dorchester
- Multilingual materials on sidewalk tree plantingResident wants multilingual educational materials about environmental projects, especially public tree planting, because Dorchester lacks trees and suffers from intense heat.2025–26Dorchester
- Native plant gardening grants for Dorchester homeownersResident proposes grants helping Dorchester homeowners do native plant gardening and landscaping, since it is costly and the area lacks green space.2025–26Dorchester
- Street trees on Mass Ave near Everett SquareResident asks for street trees along the sidewalk and bike path on Mass Ave between Edward Everett Square and Melnea Cass Blvd for shade and to improve a neglected stretch.2024–25Dorchester
- Clean and green the Tent City playgroundThe resident asks to make the playground area in their community, Tent City, clean and green.2024–25Dorchester
- Plant trees on Blue Hill Ave instead of bike lanesResident asks that trees be planted on Blue Hill Avenue rather than bike lanes, saying working-class neighborhoods have lost trees.2024–25Dorchester
- Renovate Mather School playground and groundsResident asks for funding to renovate Mather Elementary's outdoor space with playgrounds, a basketball court, greenhouse, senior seating and gardens, since the area is outdated.2024–25Dorchester
- Restore Dr. Martin Luther King School playgroundStudent asks for the school playground to be restored so students have a safe place to play over the next three years.2024–25Dorchester
- Restore playground at King SchoolResident asks for restoration of the playground at the King School, 77 Lawrence Ave in Dorchester, so students can play safely.2024–25Dorchester
- Restore King School playground in DorchesterStudent asks for restoration of the playground at the Martin Luther King Jr. School at 77 Lawrence Ave, which has never been restored.2024–25Dorchester