New Yorkers endured record breaking heat this June and found themselves scrambling for relief. While many New Yorkers escaped oppressive temperatures by using their air conditioners, not all could. According to Dr. Michelle E. Morse, Acting Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health in an interview with AmNews: “It is very common for New Yorkers actually to not have air conditioning in their homes or apartments. What is a New Yorker to do in the sweltering heat?” According to Dr. Morse, there’s a very good option: “We really encourage people to use the cooling centers.”
There are more than 50 cooling centers throughout the five boroughs that open when temperatures spike above 95 degrees for two or more days or above 100 degrees.
Robin Prescod, a real estate professional and dog walker, was interviewed by AmNews at a Hamilton Heights library that was serving as a cooling center during the recent heat wave. She said she stops at cooling centers — specifically those in New York Public Library facilities — on summer evenings to send emails, print documents, or charge her phone.
“I like the libraries, because they are quiet, cool,” Prescod said. “It’s a nice home away from home.”
Though Prescod is an avid user of cooling centers throughout the city, she said there is room for improvement. She suggested increasing outreach through public service announcements about cooling centers when temperatures rise above ninety degrees, and the possibility of extended hours or more comfortable accommodations for seniors.
“There could always be more said about it,” Prescod said. “Remember, the public library is still open for all of us — it’s a place where you can grab a book and cool off.”
With three primary locations she frequents to cool off, Prescod said she is unsure what she would do without the convenience of temperature-controlled spaces to do work during the summer.
Older adults are particularly vulnerable during high temperatures and are more likely to have a chronic condition or take medication that makes them susceptible to heat-related health problems. A portion of cooling centers in the city are open to “older adults only” and are often located at senior centers or luncheon clubs throughout the city.
Star Senior Center in Washington Heights, though open to all, focuses on accessibility and awareness for older adults. Caseworker Marlene Diaz said the center expanded its hours this summer and has seen increased use as a result, especially during the recent heatwave.
In addition to reducing heat exposure, the center doubles as a place where older adults can gather, receive a free lunch, and participate in activities like Zumba, she said. Many seniors are excited when it is cooling center time, Diaz added, comparing the communal benefits of the service to an afterschool program.
“They treat each other like family,” Diaz said.
To increase accessibility the center provides transportation for interested participants and spreads the word about cooling center hours through WhatsApp groups, Facebook, and flyers.
Suzanne Lander, a library patron, stopped by the Hamilton Grange branch to return books during the heatwave. Though escaping the heat was secondary to this task, she said cooling centers are essential for people without AC or electricity when it gets hot.
“It’s really important to have resources for people, to take care of them,” Lander said.
However, Lander added that she had not heard about cooling centers, despite their important community role.
According to Dr. Morse, “One of the easiest ways to figure out where there is a cooling center for you to access is to call 311 and they will tell you about the closest cooling center to your location. Those cooling centers are safe, freely accessible, public places that you can spend time in to cool down, and again we really encourage, especially our seniors to use them and not use a fan alone. In this level of heat, it is not enough to keep you cool.”
To learn more about where the cooling centers are in New York City, please use this link: https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02663 or dial 311 on your phone. The New York Public Library has a list of cooling centers https://www.nypl.org/community/resources/health-wellness/cooling-centers and the New York State Department of Health as information about Cooling Centers and the services that they provide: https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/environmental/public_health_tracking/about_pages/cooling_centers/about_cooling.