Around the World in 100 Ideas

If there’s one thing we’ve discovered in the two years since we started featuring the great community ideas shared on MindMixer sites, it’s that people not only care about the places they call home – they care about making them better. From lawn-mowing goats to on-the-go city council meetings, there’s no end to the creative ways that people want to improve the world around them. Here’s just a taste of that community passion – the first 100 MindMixer Ideas of the Week.

#1 New Life fora Historic TheaterFort DuPont, Del.

“The existing theater at Fort DuPont could be restored, refurbished and used as a theater. I foresee a festival season… a place for musical, film and theater festivals and year-round events.” — Kristina

#2Embracing theCreighton PathwayCreighton University, Omaha, Neb.

“If graduation is that moment of completion and a reflection of everything we’ve accomplished at Creighton, the pathway should be anticipatory of things to come.” — Zac

#3Leading the Way to a Green EconomyBeacon, N.Y.

“Energy efficiency and renewable energy create lasting jobs, while mitigating climate change.” — Manna Jo

#4Make Transit SocialWashington, D.C.

“What if Metro made an app available for iOS, Android, iPad etc. where you could track all the buses and trains?” — Alan

#5Help Students Become EntrepreneursFrederick, S.D.

“These programs encourage young people to be job creators as a viable alternative to being an employee for life.” — Shirley

#6Gardens Behind Bars | Denton, Texas

“It’s much more nutritional food for the inmates, allows them to get outside, be physically active and cuts down tremendously on the cost of food for each inmate.” — Elizabeth

#7Bring Entertainment Uptown | Westerville, Ohio

“I would like to open a retro video arcade in the old theatre that will compliment the existing businesses and overall uptown feel.” — Shilah

#8Turn Bridges into Rock-Climbing Walls Phoenix, Ariz.

“If the city can have a skate park, or allow people to ride bikes and inline skate in parks, or go hiking in any of our mountain preserve parks, the city could create something like this.” — Ben

#9Create a Playgroundfor All ChildrenRaleigh, N.C.

“A unique treasure that will be marked as a ‘destination playground’ for the entire community, featuring integrated recreational facilities for future programming and fun.” — Dionne

#10Nurture Self-Starters in KCKansas City, Mo.

“The Makerspace will be a secure and insulated environment with plenty of workspace, lighting and ventilation.” — Nicholas

#11Tablets for K-5 StudentsCedar Rapids, Iowa

“Consider giving a tablet to each enrolled student, K-5, for them to use in completing curriculum-related skill development at home.” — Clint

#12Make Sacramento a Street Art Mecca Sacramento, Calif.

“Given a wealth of unsung local artistic, musical and dramatic talent, it should be easy to take an event where public art is celebrated and use it to spin off a showcase of so much of our local talent.” — Ryan

#13Community Composting | Park City, Utah

“Let’s start a community compost and place compost bins next to trash and recycle around the city.” — Kayla

#14Independent Films in the Park | Louisville, Ky.

“Some cities show free movies in their parks, but Louisville should take it another step and throw independent artists a bone by showing their movies.” — Deandre

#15Civil Rights History Walking TourNashville, Tenn.

“This incredible history of students organizing for change is all but hidden from view of pedestrians in the downtown and North Nashville neighborhoods.” — Katie

#16Eco-Grazing at ParksLansing, Mich.

“Being environmentally conscious doesn’t necessarily have to be high-tech, high-cost. Allow farm animals like sheep to graze in our parks.” — Yvonne

#17Bring a Festival to Cedar ParkCedar Park, Texas

“Maybe a cave festival? Have it coincide with Cave Day? And have vendors, live music, fun stuff for kids to do. You could even have buses that leave from the festival and take people on tours of the caves.” — Amanda

#18Sister Schools for Lasting FriendshipsKansas City, Mo.

“With Google Fiber, improved technology, and so many incredible cultural assets in our city that could warrant a few amazing field trips each year, we have an opportunity to reach out to other KCPS schools and build sister school relationships.” — Ashley

#19A Weather Museum in West Texas Lubbock, Texas

“We all know Lubbock’s weather is extreme, so why not celebrate it and learn more about it with a weather museum?” — Elliott

#20Downtown Food Truck Festival | Calgary, Alberta

“It would build a sense of community because neighbors would attend and congregate. Food and music always bring people together.” — Heather

#21Cultural Districts to Define Neighborhoods | Watertown, Mass.

“Our town could benefit from better branding. We already have everything. All we need to do is promote it.” — Todd

#22 Hold a HumanLibrary DayRichmond, British Columbia

“Some libraries have a program where you can reserve a time to talk to someone from a different walk of life or a perspective that you are interested in understanding.” — Dace

#23Create a Desert Garden DowntownPhoenix, Ariz.

“To honor our desert ecological heritage, we should showcase our desert plants, which would make it unique and attract out-of-state tourists.” — David

#24Bridge Neighborhoods with a Deck ParkWashington, D.C.

“In areas where North Capitol is below grade, deck over the street to create new neighborhood parks. These parks would provide incredible views of the US Capitol.” — John

#25Bring Back Old Hollywood with a Movie Palace | Sacramento, Calif.

“Sacramento should partner with a movie theater company to recreate a movie palace. We could build something that fills empty space, energizes a community and brings the core something it’s lacking!” — Neil

#26Pocket Parks in Every Neighborhood Washington, D.C.

“Westminster Park is shaded, has a water fountain in the summer and has a big gate to keep toddlers from running off. All this is in a space no bigger than a row house. We should have a Westminster in every neighborhood!” — Sarah

#27Make an Old Space New Again with Local Small Business | Arvada, Colo.

“Many people are finding their entrepreneurial spirit and trying to start new businesses. We have a unique opportunity in Arvada Plaza to start something big! Arvada is known for supporting the Arts, lets make it our statement and our mission!” — Carol

#28Make Bikes More Accessible with Corrals Iowa City, Iowa

“Businesses in Chicago are sponsoring on-street bike corrals. These corrals can be in place year-round or just for peak riding season. Ten bikes can fit in one parking spot!” — Martha

#29Honor Fallen Yarnell Firefighters | Phoenix, Ariz.

“If the city can have a skate park, or allow people to ride bikes and inline skate in parks, or go hiking in any of our mountain preserve parks, the city could create something like this.” — Anthony

#30Open a Literature Museum in Iowa CityIowa City, Iowa

“A museum with the history and future of bookmaking, exhibitions on all forms of literature, and exhibits with inspiring ideas from writers from all over the world.” — Garry

#31Bring a Grocery Co-Op to CaryCary, N.C.

“I certainly do not mean one of the chain groceries. Instead, think of the old time groceries that you see in downtown NYC with creaky floors and fresh produce, cheeses and dairy, coffees and spices, staples and some canned goods. Perhaps a co-op would fit the bill.” — Sandra

#32An Energy-Efficient Town HallMount Pleasant, S.C.

“Natural lighting with constant light level (artificial/natural), capture rainwater for irrigation, insulate walls, ground source heat pump, photovoltaics, vertical wind turbines, design to net zero energy consumption. Use all high efficiency computers with power controls functional.” — Ken

#33Celebrate Front Royal’s HistoryFront Royal, Va.

“History comes alive in Front Royal. Market our story to either A&E or the History Channel. What a wonderful opportunity to get Front Royal’s history, name and story out there for tourists. This is one way we can get our name on the map.” — Timothy

#34Back-to-School Clothing Swap | Pittsburgh, Pa.

“We could do it at one of the local schools or rec centers. People bring their children’s clothes that no longer fit and you can swap them with new items.” — Heather

#35 Deliver Meals and Books on Wheels Wichita, Kan.

“Meals On Wheels is delivered Monday through Friday and their pickup facility is not that far from the main library. Combine the Home Book Delivery with Meals on Wheels one or two days a week. Should save in fuel costs and volunteer time.” — Diana

#36Wiffle Ball Fields in Fairfax | Fairfax, Va.

“Wiffle ball helps you with higher-level curve balls because in wiffle ball, a ball can curve up to 48 inches! Wiffle ball is a great game and I think that every person should play wiffle ball at least once in their lifetime.” — 10-year-old Daniel

#37Tour Connecticut by BikeEnfield, Conn.

“Create a statewide interconnected bike route and trail system with interesting destinations. Shoreline, historical places, campsites and the like would make for a good healthy and inexpensive vacation or even a long weekend.” — Steve

#38Use Technology to Reduce Food WasteOakland, Calif.

“Sally has leftovers. She opens an app and enters her food and her location. The next day a volunteer driver picks up the food and brings it to a local homeless shelter or food justice nonprofit.” — Matt

#39Transcribe Public Discussion with Technology | Fullerton, Calif.

“Transparency, accountability, and involvement – even inspiration – all occur if we apply technology to make public discussion searchable. It’s time we adapted technology to the task of bringing our discourse closer to the people it serves.” — Ryan

#40 Donate Gift Card Remainders to Charity Los Angeles, Calif.

“I propose a website where those last incremental dollars or cents remaining on a gift card can be donated and pooled together with the gift cards of others and distributed to charities.” — Rob

#41Coordinate Local Food Distribution OnlineGreensboro, N.C.

“Technology could aid in facilitating a local food distribution system, in which individuals, families, churches or neighborhoods would commit to growing specific vegetables, or raising small livestock and fish, to be sold at specific times of the year.” — Laurie

#42Engage Citizens with GeocachingOlympia, Wash.

“Parks and recreation could use it to encourage community members to explore local parks, waste management could modify it to highlight hazardous waste recycling locations and downtown associations could customize it to increase traffic to local business.” — Christen

#43Match Transit Station Names with Local LandmarksBaltimore, Md.

“Shot Tower/Marketplace probably doesn’t mean anything for new riders. I think the marketplace itself has been closed for decades. However, there is a major Post Office right across the street. City Hall is two blocks away. Power Plant Live is around the corner. Little Italy is an easy walk.” — Grant

#44A Student and Staff Marketplace on Campus Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.

“I would love to see either an online space or a physical marketplace twice a year where folks could buy, sell and trade goods and services. I am always looking for folks to help me with physical labor at home and I have many things I can contribute.” — Andrea

#45Put Community Gardens in Vacant Lots | Fort Worth, Texas

“This will cut down on the need for the city to pay contractors to cut the grass. These types of activities get people out of their houses and working together. We could even donate a portion of anything grown to the local shelters.” — John

#46Reuse College Student FurnitureBoston, Mass.

“Ironing boards, full height mirrors, kitchen appliances and other household items are often discarded before they outlive their usefulness. A second-hand market for such items could flourish amongst households who cannot afford to purchase new items.” — Dolores

#47“Take a Penny, Leave a Penny” StationsToronto, Ontario

“Many youth have been in the situation where they are stranded on the other side of the city without the appropriate bus fare. City Council should construct ‘Take a Penny, Leave a Penny’ structures on the walls of banks, stores and TTC stations.” — Gowttam

#48Encourage Transit Use with Park-and-RideWilmington, N.C.

“Add a park-and-ride garage at I-40 and Gordon Road and provide express bus service to Wrightsville Beach, downtown, UNCW, Carolina Beach and the mall. Work with the hotels to provide their own shuttles and baggage service for tourists who park at the garage.” — Sam

#49Jazz Up the Park with a Grandstand Garden Grove, Calif.

“We had one a long time ago and it was a great public attraction. Anaheim has one. Other cities have them. Our youth could enjoy musical acts and DJs and dance in the park.” — Josh

#50Connect Businesses with a Bike PathColumbus, Ohio

“Create a centralized bike path with businesses in mind. I would develop these streets for local businesses both new and old. There is an empty lot at that corner. Why not make it into old style town center type of stores.” — Dale

#51Reach Out to Alumni to Help with DebtDunlap, Ill.

“Has the Dunlap administration considered reaching out to alumni? I know that Dunlap has an extremely loyal alumni base. I think it’s a viable option – maybe not a cure-all or a permanent solution – but something that can slow down the spiral of debt.” — Stacey

#52Fight Poverty Through Community DevelopmentGraham, N.C.

“Build mixed-income housing units, improve school quality, work with the local employment program to provide job training and placement, improve streetscapes to attract retail, remove blighted housing, pursue new commercial assets, fresh-food stores, and a bus transit.” — Rick

#53Turn a Bridge into a Symbol of LoveKelowna, British Columbia

“We should create a Love Lock Wall at one of the parks to become a landmark for all the sweethearts in Rutland.” — Jade

#54Build a RegionalTrail NetworkBloomington, Ill.

“The trails are disjointed. Connect all of them and add safe passage from Fox Creek to downtown Bloomington and downtown Normal. I lived in Fort Collins, where the entire city from one end to the other was connected via bike trail. They went over or under main roads for safety and were plowed in the winter.” — MP

#55Invite Passersby to Tickle the IvoriesSan Francisco, Calif.

“Imagine that along your commute you could stop and listen to an impromptu concert. Create a space for people to express and engage with like they have in the train stations of Paris.” — Helen

#56Community Building with aDowntown Commons | Raleigh, N.C.

“This is a commons area, where people can conduct business and life. I envision the ‘Raleigh Commons’ to be constructed on land in a location central to businesses and retail; a building structure designed to let light in and operate sustainably; outdoor space with tables, benches, and a garden.” — Jen

#57Embrace Jacksonville’s Musical HistoryJacksonville, Fla.

“Embracing Lavilla’s musical history would allow for the creation of jazz themed clubs and restaurants that would encourage residents, new and old, to attend and support. Maybe a Jazz Entertainment District.” — James

#58Nurture Identity withNatural LandmarksValparaiso, Ind.

“I’d love to see our community develop a greater sense of place and connect with the Valparaiso Moraine and Lake Michigan. The city is fortunate to have these natural features, and the city owned land along Salt Creek is a great opportunity to further our public connection with them. I’d love to see more people connecting with the creek.” — Craig

#59Incentivize Weekend and Evening Business HoursHagerstown, Md.

“No one comes downtown on Sundays because everything is closed; businesses stay closed because no one is downtown. For Sunday to work, the businesses will need incentives until customers realize things are open on Sundays.” — Heather

#60Designate a Public Art WallKearney, Neb.

“Our community only has a few outdoor murals, and there is some interesting street art on the Maytag building on 25th, but I would like to see that expand to more outdoor displays of community members’ artwork. We have tons of arts and culture happening here.” — Holden

#61Provide Bicycle Maintenance Tools on Paths | Baton Rouge, La.

“There are many options out there to encourage visitors and reduce the impediments to bicycle travel, including: Water fountains, safe and secure bike parking, electric car hookup, public bike repair stands and bike pumps. Some of your most frequent users also favor active transportation. Foster and support that correlation.” — Beaux

#62Embrace Local Heritage with a New Festival | Garden Grove, Calif.

“An Oktoberfest event is a way for craft artisans to showcase and sell their work with craft demonstrations and classes. It’s a great way for art teachers to get new students, a great way for talented artisans to share and pass down their craft arts to the new generation and of course, the oldsters can learn too.” — BeeBee

#63Shuttle Shoppers to the Farmers’ MarketBeaverton, Ore.

“Run a shuttle bus to Beaverton Farmers’ Market. Perhaps run the bus down Hall Blvd., allowing people to walk from neighborhoods to the bus. It would help reduce parking congestion.” — Teresa

#64A Rivertop RestaurantCedar Rapids, Iowa

“It would be connected to both sides of the river via a skywalk or pedestrian bridge. It would also have a glass floor for viewing the river below as well as outdoor seating for warmer months. The restaurant could even rotate slowly on an axis.” — Andrew

#65Pool Higher Ed Resources to Create Jobs Wichita, Kan.

“We are rich in smart folks. Instead of their competing, let’s work to coordinate IT activities, educational projects and programs, and a knowledge base that works as a ‘cluster.’ That is something that will bring high tech jobs to our area. Furthermore, there exists grant money for research clusters.” — Sharon

#66Create a Senior Recreation Program Columbia, Md.

“Create a senior program for the older crowd who remain active, vibrant and vital to our community. Plan activities for gardening, weeding and raking leaves; positive aging fitness through yoga, pilates and water activities.” — Mindy

#67Learn from Local StartupsGuelph, Ontario

“Assign ‘Open Government Champions’ within the city to spend time (1-3 months) at a startup in order to immerse themselves in an innovative, test-and-learn culture. This program can act as both recognition and catalyst to changing culture within the city.” — Rosalina

#68Look to Other Cities for Transit InspirationAllegheny County, Pa.

“Chicago’s Bus Tracker system is very impressive and helpful. If there isn’t an electronic sign at the stop to let you know (via GPS system on the buses) when the next bus is arriving, you can text and receive the information or use an app on a smart phone. It’s very accurate, and makes commuting on public transit much more convenient.” — Teresa

#69Work with Bloggers to Tell Our StorySeattle, Wash.

“There are many freelance writers, photographers and artists in Washington currently writing about our wild lands; perhaps a small state agency could be created to help coordinate, sponsor and promote bloggers.”

#70Bring NYC to KC Kansas City, Mo.

“Think Washington Square in NYC and build a big arch to mark the entrance and invite people in. Add plenty of seating and music and you have a scene!” — Bethany

#71Revitalize Vacant Businesses | Topeka, Kan.

“We need to utilize the vacant buildings that we currently have, i.e. Fox Theater, vacant buildings that are on the riverfront, etc. If we bring in business to those areas it could help the area economically and more traffic in the area can also help reduce crime. It would also provide jobs.” — Joshua

#72A Community Flea Market to Encourage Re-Use | Calgary, Alberta

“You could even get a crowd into the area by setting up some kind of competition for most creative flea market ‘flips’ or most profit made from a flip. I think it would be great to get more creatives into the city, all while finding ways to recycle furniture and other items.” — Vanessa

#73Create a Recycling Rewards ProgramPittsburgh, Pa.

“You get a recycling bin with a bar code on it. Every time you recycle you get points, which can be used at different locations within the city. By providing the bins, citizens are already more likely to recycle.” — Geoffrey

#74Focus on People Helping People

Lehigh County, Pa.

“Implement a monthly program people can apply to, to initiate a change or betterment within the county. It could be a block cleanup, a family that is struggling and needs a roof repaired, a park in need of some work and so much more. It would make the community more involved and provide a lasting impact at the same time.” — Tina

#75Create Flexible Learning EnvironmentsLindfield, Australia

“An open learning environment where everyone has the ability to equally contribute rather than the traditional teacher led environment. No timetable structures and independent subjects, but students working on real life projects that incorporate multiple subject areas.” — Karen

#76Capitalize on Historic BuildingsTacoma, Wash.

“Economic depression up to the 90s kept many of the founding buildings, structures and homes from being torn down and replaced with contemporary and often boring buildings. Like many other cities, San Francisco for example, this is one of the signatures of the city. Tacoma should capitalize on this as an attraction.” — Jarett

#77Give Teens Opportunities for InvolvementCuyahoga Falls, Ohio

“There is so much for adults and young kids… but nothing for the teen set. Can’t we do something for them? Battle of the Bands? Leadership for teens? Even volunteer opportunities.” — Nikki

#78Leverage Local Art Galleries to Host a Festival | Huntington, W. Va.

“With the opening of the MU Visual Arts Center it would be a great idea to create an artisan festival this fall or next fall. Not only would this be beneficial to the downtown but having the several hundred new art students participate in the festival would be helpful to them.” — Kyle

#79Bring Hollywood to WilmingtonWilmington, N.C.

“Develop areas adjacent to the North 23rd Street employment corridor in a well-connected and coordinated way, so that residential areas are within a short drive or bike ride to employment. Create a film-based mixed-use district.”

#80Alleviate Traffic with a Monorail | Frisco, Texas

“Take Disney’s example: above ground stations and no tracks to cross over. This could alleviate traffic woes and interconnect businesses (work, leisure, food industries) with efficiency and comfort, powered by a hybrid of mixed resources, especially natural gas from Texas!” — Patrick

#81Take Public Meetings on the Road Toronto, Ontario

“A walking tour with meeting participants will help everyone familiarize themselves with the site context and allow for informal discussions between staff, residents, the applicant and other stakeholders.” — Thomas

#82Bring Unique Food Options to Town Murfreesboro, Tenn.

“Maybe create a new zoning classification of ‘boutique restaurant.’ I think this might finally get the ball rolling in the right direction for us to eventually have a thriving food scene.” — Bill

#83 Host a Neighborhood Beautification Contest | Hagerstown, Md.

“Why not have regular events to give people pride in their communities? Perhaps a community beautification contest; give a block party to the community that makes the most improvements in their area.” — Ken

#84 Connect Phoenix Neighborhoods with a Streetcar | Phoenix, Ariz.

“Streetcar service around downtown would increase walkability and make it possible to live a pedestrian lifestyle. Imagine what it would be like if you could get anywhere downtown by a walk of five minutes or less on both ends of a streetcar ride!” — Robert

#85Re-Imagine Natural ResourcesBaton Rouge, La.

“The primary objective MUST be re-engineering the Lakes for long-term ecological sustainability. The secondary objective should be improving the recreational facilities currently running along the edges of the Lakes.” — Mark

#86Throw a Birthday Party for the LibraryWichita, Kan.

“We’d have ice cream and cake, like a River Festival event, with activities indoors and out, including storytime, tours of the genealogy area, musical performances, puppet shows, technology demonstrations and more.” — Elizabeth

#87Go Green… LiterallyHuntington, W. Va.

“I would love to see a ‘living wall’ on portions of the floodwall. Vertical planters with artistic patterns would create a vibrant, verdant exhibit. Along with this, green roofs or rooftop gardens.” — Elliott

#88Integrate Campus Vegetable Gardens

Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Mich.

“The new campus gardens began as a student initiative and have been mostly student-run. This is good, but the students need to know that the rest of the campus is on board with their plan to integrate this into the Calvin Dining experience.” — David

#89Forge Inter-Generational Connections Boulder, Colo.

“Boulder is loaded with a lot of educated, experienced and talented people who may be winding down or changing from their dominant career tracks. It would be nice to have a formal forum to connect this vast resource with others in the community who could benefit from their mentorship.” — Donna

#90Get Creative to Curb Bike TheftPittsburgh, Pa.

“Many people have had bikes stolen, almost all were locked with cable locks. I would love a bait bike campaign, like is currently in effect in San Francisco, to be used here to help stop these crimes.” — Ben

#91Teach Children About Trees | Pittsburgh, Pa.

“Classroom time could be devoted to learning about urban trees and their benefit to humans, birds and animals.” — Greg

#92Turn Parking Lot into Focal Point ParkWaco, Texas

“Let’s transform the entire block into a downtown plaza or park with a central fountain with plenty of green spaces, some strategically planned planting of trees, bushes, flowers, etc. all planned to maximize the beautiful views of the Courthouse.” — James

#93Offer Discounts on Rides to Transit StationsDallas, Texas

“If DART riders can present their pass to get a discount on a ride-sharing company like Uber or Lyft, that might encourage more people to finally ditch their cars and use DART to get to places.” — Michael

#94Make the Most of Unique Buildings | Hagerstown, Md.

“The Nicodemus building has amazing castle-like architecture. Develop a museum with interactive displays appealing to kids and adults. Staff members and volunteers could dress up in medieval-era clothing, and create an excellent experience for visitors.” — Ken

#95Celebrate Delicious Local Heritage

Cleveland, Ohio

“Everyone loves food cooked on a grill. One week [we can have] African-spiced veggie kabobs, another week Thai-infused corn on the cob, another week grilled bratwurst.” — Audrey

#96Incentivize Bike Path Creation | Biloxi, Miss.

“There are several opportunities along the coast to develop multi-use recreational and commuter paths in conjunction with linear parks that are not primarily adjacent to vehicular roadways. A program that offers substantial, tangible incentives to property owners who donate property for recreational use would greatly benefit efforts to create these spaces.” — Geneva

#97Take Art to the StreetsHuntington, W. Va.

“Intermingling art, such as murals, fun statutes, creative bike racks, or community projects, such as decorative sidewalk projects, may open more eyes to the world of art. People are more likely to be involved and supportive if art is seen as fun and functional.” — Laurie

#98An Urban Park for All Ages Southfield, Mich.

“Create an urban park in the City Centre similar to Campus Martius Park [in Detroit] that has year round events, concerts, activities and restaurants.” — Terry

#99Bike Racks from Parking MetersWichita, Kan.

“There is a need for bicycle parking. These poles could be repurposed as bike racks. The bike racks in Delano would be a good model to follow (a pole with a circle affixed to the pole).” — Barry

#100Public Paint by NumbersChicago, Ill.

“Imagine a large canvas covering the ground with an image outlined in the familiar paint-by-numbers sky blue. To double up ideas, employees hand out environmentally friendly paint and brushes to neighbors, tourists, day campers, and the artists have at it!” — Brendan

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