Cooling centers are facilities where you can go to cool off during extreme heat. The New York State Department of Health collects information about seasonal cooling centers from local health departments and emergency management offices. Find Cooling Centers in New York State here.
If a cooling center is not available, libraries, supermarkets, malls, and community swimming pools are great places to stay cool. You can always check with your local health department or local news sources for possible additional cooling centers during heat events.
Remember, call before you go! Cooling centers may be closed at certain times or only available during extreme heat events.
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced free admission to all state parks on Wednesday and Thursday to help residents and visitors find relief from high temperatures and humidity.
Swimming sites at the parks will open early. The sites in the Hudson Valley are:
Lake Welch State Park
Canopus State Park
Rockland Lake State Park
Tallman Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain State Park
Lake Tiorati Beach – Harriman State Park
Several public facilities are serving as cooling centers in the Hudson Valley this week, though some are closed on Wednesday due to Juneteenth holiday.
People can escape the heat in nine Sullivan County libraries, the Sullivan County Government Center, SUNY Sullivan and Walmart in Monticello.
Locations in Ulster County include the 2nda Iglesia La Mision Church in Kingston, Rosendale Recreation Center, the Trudy Farber Building in Ellenville, New Paltz Village Hall and the Saugerties and Woodstock town halls.
Multiple libraries in Orange County are available, along with the Crawford Town Hall, Goodwill Church, Grace Community Church, Mount Hope Senior Center, Port Jervis Youth/Community Center, Recreation Department Activity Center in Newburgh, Village Hall of Warwick, Village of Florida Senior Center, Village of Goshen Senior Center, Village of Greenwood Lake Senior, Warwick Town Senior Center and Wawayanda Senior Citizens Building, according to the state Health Department.