By: Jasmine West
Detroit residents will have access to air-conditioned recreation centers and libraries as dangerously high temperatures settle over the city through Thursday.
The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for Detroit from noon Tuesday, June 30, through 8 p.m. Thursday, July 2. Temperatures are expected to approach 100 degrees, with humidity pushing heat index values even higher.
The Detroit Health Department and the city’s Parks and Recreation Division have activated cooling centers across Detroit to give residents a safe place to escape the heat. All city recreation centers will remain open during their regular operating hours.
Extreme heat can become dangerous quickly, particularly for residents without reliable air conditioning and those who work or spend long periods outdoors. Older adults, young children, people with disabilities and residents living with chronic medical conditions face an increased risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“Extreme heat remains one of the most serious public health issues, particularly for older adults, young children, people with chronic medical conditions, and anyone spending extended time outdoors,” Detroit Chief Public Health Officer and Health Department Director Ali Abazeed said.
“We ask Detroiters to check on family members and neighbors, drink plenty of water, limit outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, and take advantage of the city’s cooling centers and public spaces to stay safe.”
Residents can seek relief at the following recreation centers:
Adams Butzel Complex
10500 Lyndon
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Butzel Family Center
7737 Kercheval
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Clemente Recreation Center
2631 Bagley
Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Coleman A. Young Recreation Center
2751 Robert Bradby Drive
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Community Center at A.B. Ford Park
100 Lenox St.
Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Crowell Recreation Center
16630 Lahser
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: noon to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: noon to 11 p.m.
Farwell Recreation Center
2781 E. Outer Drive
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Helen Moore Community Center
11825 Dexter Ave.
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Heilmann Recreation Center
19601 Crusade
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Kemeny Recreation Center
2260 Fort St.
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Lasky Recreation Center
13200 Fenelon
Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Northwest Activities Center
18100 Meyers Road
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Williams Recreation Center
8431 Rosa Parks Blvd.
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Detroit Public Library branches will also serve as respite centers during their normal operating hours. Hours vary by location and can be found on the Detroit Public Library’s website.
Health officials are urging residents to drink water regularly, even before they feel thirsty, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest portions of the day. People who must remain outdoors should take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned spaces.
Signs of heat-related illness may include dizziness, nausea, headache, weakness, confusion, fainting, a rapid heartbeat or unusually heavy sweating. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and may cause confusion, loss of consciousness or an extremely high body temperature.
Residents should also check on neighbors, relatives and friends who may be especially vulnerable, including older adults, people with disabilities, young children, those with chronic medical conditions and households without working air conditioning.
Children and pets should never be left inside parked vehicles, even briefly. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise to deadly levels within minutes during extreme heat.
Detroit’s cooling-center activation and additional heat-safety resources are available through the city’s Health Department and Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management websites.
