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
411 ideas
2024–25: 129 · 2025–26: 133 · 2026–27: 149
- Plant sidewalk trees without resident requestsThe resident asks the City to proactively find blocks without trees and plant sidewalk trees instead of waiting for residents to ask.2025–26City-wide
- Plant 500 to 1,000 new treesThe resident asks the City to plant 500 to 1,000 trees, replacing lost ones and adding others for cooling and calming, since Boston has fewer trees than nearby cities.2025–26City-wide
- Add plants along highways to improve air qualityThe resident asks for peace lilies and nectarine trees along highway exteriors to improve air quality and add greenery, especially for disadvantaged communities.2025–26City-wide
- Heated and cooled temporary shelters in parksThe resident asks for temporary heated, lit and cooled spaces in common parks with free programming, so neighbors can gather outside their homes during extreme temperatures without paying.2025–26City-wide
- 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
- Public drinking fountains at Mass and CassResident asks the City to install public water fountains at Mass and Cass, where there are none despite heat waves, to help people experiencing homelessness and those seeking care.2025–26South End
- Plant trees on treeless neighborhood streetsResident asks the City to plant trees on streets that have none, noting that where a utility pole fits, a tree can too.2025–26City-wide
- Green spaces to grow flowers and fruitResident asks for more green spaces where low-income community members can plant flowers and fruit, strengthening community unity.2025–26East Boston
- Tree reforestation programsResident asks for tree reforestation programs.2025–26East Boston
- Street tree reforestation programsResident asks for programs to replant trees along streets.2025–26East Boston
- Cleaner parks, more parks, and kids' recreationResident asks for education, park cleaning, more parks, recreation for children and community events, for more safety and peace of mind.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- Support agriculture and tree projects in East BostonResident asks the city to support more agriculture and tree projects in East Boston, saying it would make everyone a bit safer.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- More parks for kidsResident asks for more parks for children.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- More parks for kidsResident asks for more parks for children.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- Fenced dog park in CharlestownResident asks for a fenced-in dog playground in Charlestown, where there are many dogs but no fenced dog parks, to help keep the city clean.2025–26Charlestown
- Free cold water stations in public placesResident asks for free public water stations, ideally with cold water and no need for personal containers, to help unhoused and vulnerable people as the city warms.2025–26City-wide
- Innovative outdoor public areas for youth and familiesResident asks for new public outdoor areas where youth and families can spend more time outside and feel safe and welcome.2025–26City-wide
- More green space on sidewalks for heat reliefResident asks for more greenery in sidewalks and public spaces to provide natural shade and heat protection and help the environment, especially in heat-affected communities.2025–26City-wide
- Prioritize green design in public space projectsWhen redesigning spaces like Copley Square, prioritize environmentally friendly design and avoid replacing green space with pavement.2025–26City-wide
- Replace invasive plants with native speciesRemove invasive plants and replace them with native ones, particularly milkweed to support monarch butterflies.2025–26City-wide