City of Tampa Opens Cooling Centers
The City of Tampa is opening cooling centers at Parks and Recreation centers in response to the excessive heat warning and heat advisories that have affected the entire city this week.
Cooling centers will be staffed by City of Tampa employees, AmeriCorps service members, and Red Cross volunteers. The centers opened on Thursday, August 10, 2023, from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Cooling centers will re-open Friday, August 11, 2023, through Sunday, August 13, 2023, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
These cooling centers will be free of charge and available to all members of the public to ensure the safety of residents who are exposed to extreme heat conditions. Light snacks and water will also be available.
Cooling center locations include the following:
David M Barksdale Active Older Adult Center at Macfarlane Park
1801 N Lincoln Ave
Tampa, FL 33607
Cuscaden Park
2900 N 15th St
Tampa, FL 33605
Cordelia B Hunt Community Center at Al Lopez Park
4810 N Himes Ave
Tampa, FL 33614
In addition to opening cooling centers, the City of Tampa also launched the HEATSAFE text alert system to keep our community informed and safe from the impacts of extreme heat. More than 500 opt-in subscribers were recorded within the first hour it was announced. Future messaging will include heat advisories, cooling center openings, tips to stay cool, and other heat-related information such as utility bill assistance. To sign up simply text HEATSAFE to 888-777. We encourage all residents to sign up for this free service.
Residents are encouraged to also take advantage of the 12 pools and 9 splash pads that are operated by the City of Tampa and located throughout the city. A full list of pools and splash pads can be found on the Tampa Parks & Recreation webpage. Plans to extend open swim hours at the City of Tampa’s Parks and Recreation pools in response to extreme heat are currently underway. Updates pertaining to this will be released as they become available.
Pet owners are reminded not to forget about their four-legged family members during the extreme heat. The City of Tampa has the following pet heat safety tips posted at dog parks throughout the city.