Beat the heat: Cooling centers in the D.C. region

WASHINGTON – Below is a list of facilities to cool off in the oppressive heat.

Keep in mind if you head to any of these stations to bring all essentials along, such as prescription medication, critical phone numbers and any comfort items like personal pillows.

WTOP will continue to update this list as more information becomes available.

D.C.

All branches of the DC Public Library system will serve as cooling centers during normal operating hours.

The following pools are extending their hours July 7 and 8:

Ward 2: East Potomac Pool (972 Ohio Drive SW), 12 – 6 p.m.; Jelleff Recreation Center Pool (3265 S Street NW), 12 – 6 p.m.; Volta Park Pool (1555 34th Street NW), 12 – 6 p.m.
Ward 5: Langdon Park Pool (2860 Mills Avenue NW), 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Theodore Hagans Jr. Pool (3201 Fort Lincoln Drive NE), 12 – 6:00 p.m.
Ward 6: Rosedale Pool (1701 Gales Street NE), 12 – 6 p.m.
Ward 7: Benning Park Pool (5100 Southern Avenue SE), 12 – 6 p.m.; Kelly Miller Pool (4900 Brooks Street NE), 12 – 6 p.m.
Ward 8: Anacostia Pool (1800 Anacostia Drive SE), 12 – 6 p.m.; Douglass Pool (1921 Fredrick Douglass Court SE), 12 – 6 p.m.; Oxon Run Pool (501 Mississippi Avenue, SE), 12 – 6 p.m.

The following pools will be open from 12 – 8 p.m. July 7 and 8:

Ward 4: Upshur Recreation Center Pool (4300 Arkansas Avenue NW) 12 – 8:00 p.m.
Ward 5: Harry Thomas Sr. Pool (1743 Lincoln Road, SE) 12 – 8:00 p.m.
Ward 6: Randall Pool (25 I Street SW) 12 – 8:00 p.m.
Ward 7: Fort Dupont Pool (830 Ridge Road, SE) 12 – 8:00 p.m.
Ward 8: Barry Farm Pool (1230 Sumner Road, SE) Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fort Stanton Pool (1800 Erie Street, SE) 12 – 8:00 p.m.

All children’s pools will operate on their normal schedule from 12 – 6 p.m. Spray parks will operate on their normal, individual schedules.

See additional D.C. info in the document at the bottom of the page.

Montgomery County

The county’s cooling shelter at Richard Montgomery High School has closed. All of the public libraries are open, as well as all recreation centers except for Little Falls and Sligo.

Prince George’s County

These cooling centers are open for the general public at the following county locations Sunday, July 9 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.:

Rollingcrest-Chillum Community Center, 6120 Sargent Road, Chillum
Suitland Community Center, 5600 Regency Lane, Forestville
Oakcrest Community Center, 1300 Capitol Heights Boulevard, Capitol Heights
Fairland Sports and Aquatics Center, 13820 and 13950 Old Gunpowder Road, Laurel
Palmer Park Community Center, 7720 Barlowe Road, Landover

County residents should also be aware of neighborhood recreational facilities and utilize libraries, shopping centers and malls to keep cool. For more information, call the Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Management at 301-780-8313.

Howard County

Residents in need of cooler shelter should visit senior centers and libraries. The following cooling centers will be open Sunday, July 8:

Central Branch Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, open 1 to 5 p.m.
Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, open 1 to 5 p.m.
Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Roger Carter Center, 3676 Fels Lane, Ellicott City, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department, 1330 Woodbine Road (Rt. 94), Lisbon (cooling center has restroom only, no showers), open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
West Friendship Volunteer Fire Station, 12535 Old Frederick Road, West Friendship (cooling center and showers open – bring your own towels and toiletries), open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Free rides will be given to Maryland residents in need of transportation to cooling centers. Call 211 to arrange pick up, and click here for a full list of cooling centers in the state.

Here’s a link to Howard County’s cooling center page.

Arlington County

All libraries and pools resume normal business hours.

Alexandria

City facilities can be used as cooling centers. Find more information here.

The following city pools are open:

The Memorial Pool at Charles Houston Center; open noon to 6 p.m.
Old Town Pool, 1609 Cameron St.; open noon to 7 p.m.
Warwick Pool, 3301 Landover St.; open noon to 6 p.m.

Fairfax County

Fairfax County provides cooling opportunities at all county facilities, such as libraries, RECenters, senior centers and other locations.

Our Special Harbor Sprayground has reopened.
The Sully Historic Site has reopened.

For more RECenter/Parks information follow this link.

There are also two community centers in Reston where residents can beat the heat:

Reston Community Center Hunters Woods
Reston Community Center Lake Anne

Washington Sports Clubs are offering their facilities to anyone in need through July 8. Guests can use the showers, outlets, locker rooms and all gym equipment. Also, all the gym’s classes are open to storm victims. To find a facility near you enter your zip code here.

Loudoun County

Residents can take refuge from the heat at air-conditioned Loudoun County government facilities during normal business hours.

Beat the heat: Cooling centers in the D.C. region