WORCESTER—With a scorching forecast on tap for Friday, July 25, the city is opening three cooling centers to help residents stay safe and hydrated during the heatwave.
The cooling centers will be stocked with free water and open to the public throughout the day:
- Worcester Public Library (Main Branch) – 3 Salem Square | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Worcester Senior Center – 128 Providence St. | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Worcester 311 Customer Service Center – 799 Main St. | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
All three locations are accessible via the WRTA, which remains fare-free and offers curb-to-curb ADA transportation for those who need it. Residents can call the WRTA at 508-791-9782 for route information or help planning a trip.
City officials are urging the public to stay cool and take precautions as heat and humidity climb. That includes drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding strenuous activity outdoors, and checking on neighbors—particularly the elderly and those without air conditioning.
More ways to stay cool this summer
If you’re looking for a longer-term heat escape, Worcester’s network of free public spray parks and beaches offers a range of family-friendly ways to cool off all summer long.
Spray Parks (open daily, noon to 7 p.m. through Sept. 1):
- University Park (Crystal Park) – 965 Main St. (New this year!)
- East Park – 143 Shrewsbury St.
- Greenwood Park – 14 Forsberg St.
Public Beaches (open daily, noon to 7 p.m. through Aug. 23):
- Bell Pond – 239 Belmont St.
- Coes Pond – 200 Mill St.
- Indian Lake – 500 Salisbury St.
- Shore Park – 115 Shore Dr.
These locations are staffed by lifeguards through a seasonal partnership with the YMCA of Central Massachusetts.
Pools:
- Crompton Park Pool – 50 Canton St. (city-run, open daily)
- Dennis F. Shine Memorial Swimming Pool – 184 Providence St. (state-run)
- Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool (Bennett Field) – 1260 Main St. (state-run)
Indoor options are also available at the Greendale Family Branch YMCA, which offers lap swim and water fitness programs, and the Worcester JCC, which features both indoor and outdoor pools.
The city’s summer aquatics program runs through Labor Day, giving residents a variety of options to cool down—no beach vacation required.
Have news, tips, or a story worth telling? Reach Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org—because good stories (and great scoops) deserve to be shared.
