We’re a 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grantee!
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — June 24, 2026 — The North Adams Partnership is thrilled to announce that it has been selected to receive a 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant. This year, only 750 grantees were chosen from more than 5,100 applications submitted from across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The $15,000 grant will support UNO Park for All, a project that will bring age-friendly and ADA-accessible improvements to UNO Park, a neighborhood green space built in 2018 that serves residents of all ages in North Adams. The project will focus on improving accessibility, safety, and comfort for older adults and residents with mobility challenges through upgraded pathways, accessible seating, landscaping enhancements, and improved site circulation.
UNO Park was identified as a priority location for improvements through the North Adams Gray to Green Initiative, a collaboration between the City of North Adams and community partners facilitated by Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and funded by a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant. The planned upgrades will help transform the park into a more welcoming and accessible gathering space where older adults can rest while walking, connect with neighbors, and enjoy outdoor recreation.
"We're thrilled that AARP's Community Challenge grant gave us the opportunity to build on the collaborative work the City is already doing through the MVP planning process, which identified UNO Park as a priority for improvement," said Jenny Wright, Executive Director of the North Adams Partnership. "What makes this project so special is that its history is rooted in neighborhood collaboration, and we’re proud to continue in that spirit. We're grateful to AARP for recognizing North Adams' commitment to building a more livable community for everyone."
The project will be completed through a unique partnership that combines age-friendly community development with workforce training and volunteer engagement. Students from McCann Technical School and Greenagers, working alongside faculty mentors, local volunteers, and professional landscaping support, will help complete the improvements. Grant funding will support student and faculty stipends, construction materials, landscaping, signage, and project coordination.
By combining workforce development, intergenerational collaboration, and inclusive design, the project will extend the useful life of an important neighborhood asset while advancing North Adams’ commitment to healthy aging and accessible public spaces.
About the AARP Community Challenge
The AARP Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide work to support communities in becoming more livable for people of all ages, with a particular focus on the needs of older adults.
About UNO Park
UNO Park is a community gathering space in North Adams created in 2018 through a partnership among the United Neighborhood Organization (UNO), the City of North Adams, MASS MoCA, and local philanthropists Jack and Susy Wadsworth. Located on River Street, the park features recreational amenities, green space, and outdoor gathering areas that bring residents of all ages together while celebrating the neighborhood’s history and community spirit.
