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Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process that empowers community members to help decide how to spend part of a public budget. The City will allocate a record-high $2 million for this year’s process, which doubles the previous budget of $1 million. The PB outreach team will be collecting ideas from the Cambridge community through direct outreach in public spaces and at public events Sept. 11-Oct. 9, 2023.

Basketball is a popular sport in Cambridge. Let’s improve our courts to make exercise more appealing and fun! This improvement project will resurface two neglected basketball courts, install new rims and nets, and repaint faded lines.

Study of key issues in the Alewife Area, including the mix of uses, including housing, industry, possible City uses, open space, access and traffic, the character of future development, and needed zoning changes to accomplish study goals.

The 1% for Public Art component of the Kendall Square / Main Street project was the creation of artist designed bike racks. Six artists were chosen by an art jury to participate in this project. Each of the selected artists created three or four designs that were represented in a gallery exhibit by drawings, models and artists’ statements. The artists had to balance his or her artistic mission with factors of successful functionality, ease of maintenance, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and economy of cost. During the exhibit and at the April 10, 2012 Kendall Square Public meeting, members of the public were asked to comment and vote on the different designs. Approximately 650 votes were received. On June 4, 2012 the selection committee met and selected 5 bike racks to be used in Kendall Square. The selection committee included city staff, a member of the Bicycle Committee and two members of the Kendall Square Advisory Committee. In making their selection, the committee considered the public input (voting and comments), functionality of the racks, appropriateness for Kendall Square, and artistic interest. Since the initial installation, some of the artist designed bike racks have been moved to new locations throughout the City.

Little free libraries are beautiful, functional works of art that help build community. They develop literacy skills and encourage a love of reading by making it easy for families to exchange books in an informal, neighborhood setting.

Make parks and dog parks more comfortable for visitors by building one to two shelters with seating for rainy or sunny days. This project would also fund additional benches and tables in various parks across the city.

Danehy Park is a popular, 50-acre park in north Cambridge. For more than 30 years, residents and visitors have enjoyed the park’s athletic fields, walking paths, playgrounds, public art, dog park, and community events. We want Danehy Park to continue being a place that everyone can enjoy. We are starting a community process to gather ideas, information, and feedback about how to make Danehy even better!

The City of Cambridge is proposing a new Community Safety Department (CSD) that will coordinate community driven solutions to enhance safety in the community, with key services and programs targeted at our most vulnerable populations.

Provide much needed supplies for previously unhoused Cambridge residents to set up their home in their new apartment. Upon leasing, these residents will receive a Home Furnishings Kit which will include bed, bath, and kitchen essentials.

This publication is mailed to Cambridge residential households twice annually, generally in June and November. The summer issue highlights key City initiatives for the FY24 fiscal year from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.