Officials urge residents to exercise caution ahead of extreme heat conditions; provide locations and schedules for heat relief and safety tips
Friday, July 19, 2019
Providence, RI– Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced that Providence’s 13 water play parks and 5 public outdoor pools will be operating with extended hours this weekend due to the forecasted heatwave. On July 19 and 20 water parks and pools will open from 12:00pm-8:00pm to help residents keep cool. Water parks will also open Sunday, July 21 from 12:00pm-8:00pm. In addition to non-city owned cooling centers with varying schedules, 5 emergency cooling centers will be opened Sunday, July 21 from 10:00am-6:00pm. Additionally, mattress drop-off services regularly held on Saturday at 700 Allens Avenue are canceled.
Water park locations include:
- Al Carrington Water Park – at Richardson Park, 64 Richardson Street, corner of Richardson Street and Prairie Ave
- Billy Taylor Water Park, 124 Camp Street, off Cypress Street
- Chad Brown Water Park, Chad Brown Street
- Sackett Street Water Park, 110 Sackett Street, across from Sackett Street Recreation Center
- Harriet and Sayles Water Park, 375 Sayles Street, corner of Harriet Street and Sayles Street
- General Street Water Park, 11 West Drive, off Admiral Street
- George West Water Park, 1266 Chalkstone Avenue, corner of Chalkstone and Mount Pleasant Avenue
- Fargnoli Water Park, 945 Smith Street, close to Academy Avenue
- Fox Point Water Park – at Cabral Park, 505 Wickenden Street, next to Vartan Gregorian School
- Neutaconkanut Recreation Center Water Park, 675 Plainfield Street, near Killingly Street
- Wallace Street Park, 1 Wallace Street
- Pastore Park, corner of Knight Street and Tell Street
- Joslin Recreation Center, 17 Hyatt Street
Outdoor pool locations include:
- McGrane Pool at West End Recreation Center, 404 Dexter Street
- Almagno Pool at Neutaconkanut Recreation Center, 675 Plainfield Street
- Selim Rogers Recreation Center, 60 Camden Avenue
- Zuccolo Recreation Center, 18 Gesler Street
- Davey Lopes Recreation Center, 227 Dudley Street
While non-city owned cooling centers are generally open Monday-Saturday, the City has identified a need for accessibility on Sunday and has coordinated the opening of 5 emergency cooling centers from 10:00am-6:00pm. Cooling centers will not provide food or beverage services and only service animals with certification are allowed.
Emergency cooling center locations include:
- Nathan Bishop Middle School, 101 Sessions Street
- E-Cubed Academy, 812 Branch Avenue
- Anthony Carnevale Elementary School, 50 Springfield Street
- Young Woods Elementary School, 674 Prairie Avenue
- Providence Career & Technical Academy, 41 Fricker Street
Non-city owned cooling center locations include:
Federal Hill House
9 Courtland Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02909
401-421-4722
Monday – Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm
Silver Lake Annex Multi-Purpose
Community Center
529 Plainfield Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02909
401-944-8300
Monday – Friday 6:30am-5:00pm
Davinci Center for Community Progress
470 Charles Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02904
401-272-7474
Monday – Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
West End Community Center
109 Bucklin Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02907
401-781-4242
Monday – Friday 6:30am to 5:30pm
Crossroads RI
160 Broad Street
Providence, RI 02903
401-521-2255
Thursday: 24/7
Friday: 24/7
Saturday: 24/7
Providence Rescue Mission
627 Cranston Street #1
Providence, RI 02907
401-274-8861
Thursday: 24/7
Friday: 24/7
Saturday: 24/7
LIBRARY BRANCHES:
Residents may also seek shelter at the Providence Public Library or the following Providence Community Library Branches:
Providence Public Library
150 Empire Street
401-331-0390
Monday: 12:30pm to 8:30pm
Tuesday: 9:30am to 5:30pm
Wednesday –Friday: 12:30pm to 5:30pm
Fox Point Library
90 Ives Street
401-331-0390
Monday 9:00am to 5:30pm
Tuesday 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Wednesday – Friday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Mt. Pleasant Library
315 Academy Avenue
401-272-0106
Monday – Tuesday 1:00pm to 9:00pm
Wednesday 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Thursday 9:30am to 6:00pm
Friday – Saturday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Olneyville Library
1 Olneyville Square
401-421-4084
Monday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am to 5:30pm
Wednesday 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Thursday – Friday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Rochambeau Library
708 Hope Street
401-272-3780
Monday 1:00pm to 8:45pm
Tuesday – Wednesday 9:30am to 5:45pm
Thursday 1:00pm to 8:45pm
Friday – Saturday 1:00pm to 5:45pm
Smith Hill Library
31 Candace Street
401-331-0390
Monday – Tuesday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am to 8:00pm
Thursday 9:00am to 5:30pm
Friday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
South Providence Library
441 Prairie Avenue
401-467-2619
Monday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Tuesday 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am to 5:30pm
Thursday – Friday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Wanskuck Library
233 Veazie Street
401-274-4145
Monday 9:00am to 5:30pm
Tuesday – Wednesday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Thursday 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Friday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Washington Park Library
1316 Broad Street
401-781-3148
Monday 9:00am to 5:30pm
Tuesday – Wednesday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Thursday 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Friday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
During extreme temperatures, heat-related illnesses are possible with prolonged outdoor exposure and strenuous activity, and the effects are cumulative over consecutive days. The elderly, youth and sick are especially vulnerable to high heat conditions. The City and Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) are asking residents to take precautions and are providing the following tips and suggestions.
Extreme heat tips:
- Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
- Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty; avoid drinks with caffeine.
- Limit your outdoor activities to the evening hours if possible.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing that is light in color; wear brimmed hats and sunscreen SPF 15 or higher.
- Use a buddy system when working outdoors.
- Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and people with special needs.
- Do not leave children or pets in cars.
- Do not open fire hydrants to cool down, it is against the law; report any open fire hydrant to the fire department.
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related emergencies.
Other helpful tips can be found at https://www.providenceri.gov/pema/extreme-heat/.