What’s New
Greenagers Conduct Accessibility Assessment of UNO Park
On July 28, Greenagers summer program students visited UNO Park for an accessibility assessment, joined by faculty mentors, municipal staff, and community members. Participants identified potential tripping hazards, evaluated path widths and maneuverability, and spent time and thought considering what truly makes a space usable for people with disabilities.
Sign up for the 70th Annual Fall Foliage Parade!
The Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade is celebrating its 70th anniversary on Sunday, October 4, 2026—and this year’s theme is 70 Years in Motion: Time Traveling Through North Berkshire. Community members, businesses, and organizations are invited to bring their favorite era, historic moment, or vision of the future to life through floats, costumes, vehicles, and more. Ready to join the adventure? Sign up to participate and help make this milestone parade one to remember! You can also share your ideas for the 2027 parade theme through a short community survey.
Help Shape a More Resilient Northern Berkshire
The communities of Adams, Lanesborough, North Adams, and Williamstown are looking for up to six paid, part-time Community Liaisons to help ensure local voices are part of regional climate resilience planning. No climate experience is required—we’re looking for people with strong community connections who want to help make sure everyone has a seat at the table.
MassDevelopment, Barr Foundation Partner to Launch Creative District Pilot in North Adams
Three-Year Pilot Program Will Provide Dedicated Staff Capacity, Technical Assistance, Flexible Funding, Arts and Culture Planning, and Other Resources to Support Equitable Economic Growth
Students Bring Downtown North Adams to Life, One Reel at a Time
MCLA and the Williams College Center for Learning in Action are partnering with downtown North Adams businesses on collaborative Instagram posts and Reels that showcase local shops, restaurants, and services. The student-created content highlights walkable destinations near campus and bus stops, encouraging exploration while increasing visibility for small businesses.
UNO Park For All Kicks Off
The North Adams Partnership received a $15,000 AARP grant to revitalize UNO Park with age-friendly upgrades—safer paths, accessible seating, and better signage. McCann Technical School students and volunteers will lead the work, blending accessibility, sustainability, and hands-on learning. Construction begins this summer.
Volunteers Needed for Eagle Street Pocket Park Revitalization Project
Volunteers Needed for Eagle Street Pocket Park Revitalization Project—Let’s Build a GREENER North Adams!
Monday 7/13 + Tuesday 7/14 10am - 12pm at Windsor Mill
Wednesday 7/15 + Thursday 7/16 8am - 12pm @ Eagle Street Park
Optimal Healing: A Whole-Person Approach to Wellness
Discover Optimal Healing in North Adams, where mental health care and holistic wellness come together. Founded by Ashley Benson, the center offers therapy, yoga, sauna, red light therapy, movement classes, and wellness services in a compassionate, community-focused environment dedicated to helping people heal, grow, and thrive at every stage of life.
DCR Seeks Public Input on Natural Bridge State Park Improvements
Learn about proposed improvements to Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams, Massachusetts, during a public meeting hosted via Zoom by the Department of Conservation and Recreation on July 8 at 6pm. Plans include accessibility upgrades, historic preservation work, enhanced visitor amenities, and new viewing areas. Public comments are welcome through July 22.
We’re a 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grantee!
The North Adams Partnership has been selected for a 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant to fund age-friendly and ADA-accessible upgrades to UNO Park, improving safety, accessibility, and outdoor recreation opportunities for older adults and residents with mobility challenges in North Adams.
Steeple City Jiu Jitsu: Building Confidence and Community in North Adams
What began as a shared passion between two dedicated martial artists has grown into a thriving community hub in downtown North Adams. Steeple City Jiu Jitsu founders Jon Manley and Tim Stys saw an opportunity to bring year-round martial arts training to an underserved region while investing in a city they believe in. Now, with a growing youth program, they are helping shape the next generation of athletes, leaders, and community members.
From Market to Main
As recently highlighted by The Berkshire Eagle, the North Adams Farmers Market is helping grow the next generation of local businesses. At Red Shirt Farm, Door Prize, Hexagon Bagels, and Steeple City Social, entrepreneurs are transforming market stand success into permanent storefronts, strengthening downtown North Adams. And we are here for it! 🙌
ArtWeek Kicks Off This Weekend!
North Adams is taking center stage during ArtWeek Berkshires, with a packed lineup of open studios, live music, gallery events, artist talks, workshops, and community gatherings showcasing the city’s vibrant creative economy. From downtown venues to artist spaces and cultural institutions, North Adams is one of the region’s most active and well-represented creative destinations.
We ARE Better Together!
Students from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts partnered with MASS MoCA to host the Better Together Block Party, a student-led arts event connecting campus, downtown, and community through live music, art activities, and creative business tours ahead of FIRST Fridays North Adams. The North Adams Partnership is proud to have been part of the launch of such a successful pilot—can’t wait for next year! 🙌
ADU Design Challenge Winners Announced
The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the statewide challenge with a clear goal: make it easier, more affordable, and more inspiring for property owners to build ADUs. Now, the results are in—and they’re worth a look. The newly released ADU Design Challenge Showcase highlights a collection of winning and qualified designs that bring creativity, flexibility, and practicality together.
New $25K Down Payment Assistance Available for First-Time Homebuyers
There’s good news for aspiring homeowners across Massachusetts—including here in the Northern Berkshires. MassHousing has expanded its homebuyer assistance program, making up to $25,000 in interest-free down payment support available to more first-time buyers.
Mastic Opens on Eagle Street
A new shop is adding a quirky, creative touch to North Adams. Mastic, opened April 3 by Jared Shockcor, offers “a little weird” mix of home goods, vintage finds, books, and locally made products with a metaphysical twist.
Apply for a Creative Experiences Grant!
Mass Cultural Council’s Creative Experiences provides grants to organizations, creative businesses, government entities, and schools to fund festivals, projects, residencies, and other cultural activities in the arts, humanities, and sciences.
April is Volunteer Month!
April is a time of renewal—longer days, fresh energy, and a chance to reconnect with what matters most. It’s also the perfect moment to give back. That’s why April is recognized as Volunteer Month: a call to action for individuals, businesses, and organizations to step up and support their communities in meaningful ways.
MASS MoCA Art Futures Benefit & After Party
As MASS MoCA’s Art Futures Benefit winds down, join us to dance the night away at our high-energy, outdoor after party featuring music by DJs Cooper Gangemi and Sören Smedvig, and immersive, large scale projections by artist Pamela Hersch.