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Cooling Centers

Providence Emergency Management Agency

PROVIDENCE WEATHER

Cooling Centers

Exposure to extreme temperatures can be life-threatening. We want all residents to stay safe during the summer months. 

During high temperatures for longer periods of time, also known as heat waves, PEMA requests that cooling centers open to provide community members with access to air conditioned spaces throughout the City. See the map below to find the location nearest you. 

Remember, the heat index is what the temperature actually feels like to your body when the humidity is combined with the air temperature. High humidity makes it harder for sweat to evaporate and cool you down, so it can feel much hotter outside than the thermometer shows! 

What is a cooling center?

Cooling centers provide temporary relief from high temperatures in public spaces where community members already gather.

What to expect:

  • Cooling centers are safe and secure places for individuals or families to stay cool. They are located in air conditioned buildings that are open to the public and often have pre-existing programming. 
  • Cooling centers serve as a place for the community to gather. 

What not to expect:

  • A cooling center is not a permanent shelter. There are no housing, medical, or behavioral health services.
  • A cooling center cannot accommodate pets. Only registered service animals are allowed. 
  • A warming cooling center does not provide food. PEMA equips the centers with bottled water, but there is no guarantee or requirement for water distribution.

Cooling Center Locations



Red Marker Cooling Center | Blue Marker Pool | Teal Marker Water Park
Purple Marker Community Libraries | Red Marker Other Cooling Centers

Cooling Centers

Purple Marker Community Libraries

Fox Point Library
90 Ives Street
401-331-0390

Monday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Mt. Pleasant Library
315 Academy Avenue
401-272-0106

Monday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Olneyville Library
1 Olneyville Square
401-421-4084

Monday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Providence Public Library
150 Empire Street
401-455-8000

Monday: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Rochambeau Library
708 Hope Street
401-272-3780

Monday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Smith Hill Library
31 Candace Street
401-272-4140

Monday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

South Providence Library
441 Prairie Avenue
401-467-2619
CLOSED on 5/20/26
Monday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Wanskuck Library
233 Veazie Street
401-274-4145

Monday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Thursday: 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Washington Park Library
1316 Broad Street
401-781-3136

Monday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Red Marker Other Cooling Centers

Crossroads Rhode Island
A local, “one stop shop” where individuals and households experiencing homelessness can begin the process of accessing housing, supportive services, and emergency shelter.
160 Broad Street
Open 24/7
Get Directions

Emmanuel House
239 Public Street
7:00PM – 7:00AM
Get Directions

Federal Hill House
9 Courtland Street
Monday-Friday 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Get Directions

Providence Rescue Mission
627 Cranston Street
Open 24/7 during extreme heat conditions
Get Directions

Blue Marker Pool Locations

Pools will open for the season on June 29, 2026 and will be open Monday through Saturday from 12:00PM to 5:00PM.

Davey Lopes Recreation Center
227 Dudley Street
Get Directions

McGrane Pool at West End Recreation Center
404 Dexter Street
Get Directions

Al Magno Pool at Neutaconkanut Recreation Center
675 Plainfield Street
Get Directions

Selim Madelin Rogers Recreation Center Pool
60 Camden Avenue
Get Directions

Zuccolo Recreation Center Pool
18 Gesler Street
Get Directions

Teal Marker Waterpark Locations

All water parks will open June 29, 2026, and will be open Monday through Saturday from 12:00PM to 5:00PM.

Al Carrington Water Park
64 Richardson Street
Get Directions

Billy Taylor Water Park
124 Camp Street
Get Directions

Sackett Street Water Park
100 Sackett Street
Get Directions

Harriet & Sayles Water Park
375 Sayles Street
Get Directions

General Street Water Park
11 West Drive
Get Directions

George West Water Park
1266 Chalkstone Avenue
Get Directions

Fargnoli Water Park
945 Smith Street
Get Directions

Fox Point Water Park
505 Wickenden Street
Get Directions

Wallace Street Park
1 Wallace Street
Get Directions

Pastore Park
Corner of Knight Street & Tell Street
Get Directions

Joslin Recreation Center
17 Hyatt Street
Get Directions

Chad Brown Water Park
Chad Brown Street
Get Directions

West End Recreation Center
404 Dexter Street
Get Directions

Heat Wave Safety Tips

Remember to take steps to prepare for hot weather! Take caution and check on your neighbors, older adults, people with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness.

Want to request a PEMA Extreme Heat Preparedness presentation and receive some summer preparedness items? Email preparedness@providenceri.gov.

Preparing for the heat:

  • Have plenty of drinking water.
  • Locate your nearest cooling centers.
  • Install air conditioners and use ceiling or standing fans

Preparing for a power outage:

  • Keep devices charged and consider backup power.
  • Prep meals that don’t require an oven or stove.
  • Use passive cooling in your home: Cover windows to shade the room using curtains, towels, or aluminum-foil-covered cardboard reflectors.

During a heat wave:

  • Stay hydrated.
  • Wear loose-fitting, light clothing.
  • Limit outdoor activity.
  • Take a cool shower or bath.
  • Wear sunscreen.
  • Avoid using your stove and oven.
  • Don’t leave children or pets in cars. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20°F within 10 minutes.
  • After a power outage, discard any perishable food that has been at temperatures above 40°F for 4 hours or more.

Heat Exhaustion: Excessive sweat, faint/dizzy, fast weak pulse, muscle cramps, extreme thirst, headache, nausea/vomiting, raised body temperature. - Move to a cool location, loosen clothing, slowly sip water. Heat Stroke: Confusion, unconsciousness, hot red dry or damp skin, fast strong pulse, headcache, nausea/vomiting, raised body temperature. - Call 911 immediately, apply cool/wet cloths, do not give fluids.

PVD311 | RI Energy Power Outages: 1-855-743-1102 | Rhode Island Special Needs Registry

Prepare for Extreme Heat

Prepare for Extreme Heat PDF Front Page
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