Officials urge residents to exercise caution ahead of extreme heat conditions; provide safety tips and locations and schedules of cooling centers and water parks
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Providence, RI – Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced that all Providence water parks will have extended hours Wednesday, August 25 through Friday, August 27 to help residents keep cool with extreme high temperatures forecasted. On Wednesday through Friday, all Providence water parks will remain open until 7pm.
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 precaution and are providing extreme heat tips, as well as locations and schedules of Providence cooling centers and water parks.
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/
WATER PARKS
The following Providence water parks will be open with extended hours from 12:00pm to 7:00pm, Wednesday, August 25 through Friday, August 27.
- Al Carrington Water Park at Richardson Park, 64 Richardson Street (Corner of Richardson Street & Prairie Ave)
- Billy Taylor Water Park, 124 Camp Street (Off Cypress Street)
- Sackett Street Water Park, 110 Sackett Street (Across from Sackett Street Recreation Center)
- Harriet & Sayles Water Park, 375 Sayles Street (Corner of Harriet & Sayles Streets)
- General Street Water Park, 11 West Drive (Off Admiral Street)
- George West Water Park, 1266 Chalkstone Ave (Corner of Chalkstone & Mt Pleasant Ave)
- Fargnoli Water Park, 945 Smith Street (Close to Academy Ave)
- 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
- Chad Brown Water Park, Chad Brown Street
COOLING CENTERS: All cooling centers listed below are observing COVID-19 precautions.
Crossroads RI
- 160 Broad Street
- Providence, RI 02903
- 401-521-2255
- (Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day)
LIBRARY BRANCHES:
Residents may also seek shelter from the heat at the following Providence Community Library Branches:
Fox Point Library
- 90 Ives Street
- 401-331-0390
- Wednesday: 10:00 am-1:00 pm, 2:00 pm-5:30 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am-1:00 pm, 2:00 pm-5:30 pm
- Friday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm
Knight Memorial Library
- 275 Elmwood Ave
- 401-467-2625
- Wednesday: 1:00 pm-8:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am-5:30 pm
- Friday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm
Mt. Pleasant Library
- 315 Academy Avenue
- 401-272-0106
- Wednesday: 10:00 am-5:30 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am-5:30 pm
- Friday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm
Olneyville Library
- 1 Olneyville Square
- 401-421-4084
- Wednesday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am-1:00 pm, 2:30 pm-5:30 pm
- Friday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm
Rochambeau Library
- 708 Hope Street
- 401-272-3780
- Wednesday: 10:00 am-5:30 pm
- Thursday: 1:00 pm-8:00 pm
- Friday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm
Smith Hill Library
- 31 Candace Street
- 401-331-0390
- Wednesday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am-1:00 pm, 2:00 pm-5:30 pm
- Friday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm
South Providence Library
- 441 Prairie Avenue
- 401-467-2619
- Wednesday: 10:00 am-1:00 pm, 2:00 pm-5:30 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am-1:00 pm, 2:00 pm-5:30 pm
- Friday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm
Wanskuck Library
- 233 Veazie Street
- 401-274-4145
- Wednesday: 10:00 am-1:00 pm, 2:00 pm-5:30 pm
- Thursday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm
- Friday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm
Washington Park Library
- 1316 Broad Street
- 401-781-3148
- Wednesday: 10:00 am-1:00 pm, 2:00 pm-5:30 pm
- Thursday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm
- Friday: 1:00 pm-5:30 pm
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