City resources in effect to help park goers beat the heat
The city extends park and pool hours to help New Yorkers beat the heatwave.
More Stories
With temperatures expected to hit the triple digits over the next few days, the city has started additional efforts to help park goers stay cool, hydrated and safe.
The city has extended outdoor pool hours to 8 p.m. at all Olympic and intermediate-sized pools until Saturday.
The Cool It! NYC map has been updated to help residents find drinking fountains, spray showers, tree cover and pools nearby.
The resources are all in addition to advising people to stay hydrated and limit outdoor activities during peak heat hours.
On Wednesday, cars were lined up outside of Pelham Bay Park after the parking lot gates were closed for nearly an hour. Neighbors complained they were trying to get an early workout before it got too hot outside, but were forced to sit inside their cars until a worker finally let them in. The NYC Parks crew member told News 12 they were short staffed, but also acknowledged teams had prepared the park for two weeks ahead of the heat wave.
As neighbors got their workouts started, some played on the basketball court while others enjoyed strolls on the track and field. Angel says he purposefully took off the next few days, to enjoy being outside during the heat wave.
"I love the heat...It is a little warmer than the last previous days. But it feels good to me, I love it," he said.
For neighbors that come across the harsh conditions, the city is also mobilizing 21 Cooling Outreach On-Location (COOL) vans. The mobile units will provide medical care, resources like electrolytes and sunscreen, including meals.
For homeless and vulnerable people outside, more than 600 street city outreach workers will be visiting several areas throughout the city. The goal will be to find people braving the dangerous conditions and provide them with some shelter and relief.
The mayor says over the next few days the most important resource will be New Yorkers helping each other out. In a press conference on Tuesday the mayor said, “This administration is using every tool we have to keep New Yorkers safe, but the strongest city is one where neighbors look out for one another.”
