COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus opened several cooling centers across the city on Wednesday as temperatures are expected to reach the high 90s this week.
The city says residents can cool off at five regional community centers until the extreme weather subsides.
Here’s where you can find the cooling centers:
- Dodge Community Center, 667 Sullivant Ave., 43215
- Driving Park Community Center, 1100 Rhoads Ave., 43206
- Glenwood Community Center, 1888 Fairmont Ave., 43223
- Linden Community Center, 1350 Briarwood Ave., 43211
- Marion Franklin Community Center, 2801 Lockbourne Rd., 43207
The locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Other options for cooling off include the Columbus Metropolitan Library branches. The library has 23 locations that are open to all and have access to WiFi.
The hours of the Main Library, Barnett, Hilltop and Northern Light branches will be extended until 8 p.m. on June 21 and 22.
According to the library, the four locations will also remain open as cooling centers from noon to 8 p.m. on June 19 when the library will be closed in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
Columbus also extended the hours of the pools and spraygrounds in the area on Wednesday. All pools will open daily from 1-8 p.m. and the $1 admission will be waived on Wednesday until the extreme heat subsides.
Residents will still need a leisure card for admission.
List of splash pads and spraygrounds around central Ohio:
- Columbus: Blackburn, Linden, North Bank and Scioto Southland | Easton Towne Center
- Delaware: Veterans Park
- Dublin: Ballantrae Community Park ("Bunny Park")
- Hilliard: Hilliard's Station Park
- Marysville: Partners Park
- Obetz: Splash Pad
- Powell: Village Green Park
- Westerville: Hanby Park
- Whitehall: John Bishop Park
If you're looking to cool off at a pool, the city has several that are open:
Check opening times here.
- Dodge Pool
645 Sullivant Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215 - Driving Park Pool
1100 Rhoads Ave.
Columbus, OH 43206 - Glenwood Pool
1888 Fairmont Ave.
Columbus, OH 43223 - Lincoln Pool
570 Woodrow Ave.
Columbus, OH 43207 - Marion Franklin Pool
2699 Lockbourne Rd.
Columbus, OH 43207 - Maryland Pool
1380 Atcheson St.
Columbus, OH 43203 - Tuttle Pool
240 W. Oakland Ave.
Columbus, OH 43201 - Windsor Pool
1300 Windsor Ave.
Columbus, OH 43211
Columbus Public Health reminds residents of ways to stay healthy and safe in hot weather:
- Drink plenty of water. Do not wait until you are thirsty.
- Stay in air conditioning whenever possible. If you do not have an air conditioner, use movie theatres, malls, libraries and other public places that are cool.
- Avoid beverages with alcohol, caffeine and sugar because they will dehydrate you.
- Eat light meals.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Avoid strenuous activities and limit them to morning and evening hours.
- Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them.
- Check on family members, friends and neighbors.
- Never leave people or pets in a closed car.