The heat is not just creeping in—it’s already here, and Detroit isn’t waiting to act. With weekend forecasts showing temperatures climbing into the upper 90s and the heat index making it feel even more suffocating, the City of Detroit has moved quickly to open cooling centers to protect residents most at risk.
Excessive heat like this brings real danger, especially for elders, infants, those with chronic health conditions, and people living without reliable air conditioning. That’s why the Detroit Health Department, alongside the city’s Recreation Department, is keeping designated spaces open across the city for residents to cool down and take a break from what’s shaping up to be a dangerous stretch of weather.
Three locations will be extending their hours and opening all weekend through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.—Patton Recreation Center on Woodmere, Heilmann Recreation Center on Brock, and the Northwest Activities Center on Meyers. These sites were chosen intentionally, positioned across the city to give residents more accessible relief.
All other city recreation centers will remain open during their normal weekday and weekend hours. That includes centers like Adams Butzel on Lyndon and Coleman A. Young on Robert Bradby, both of which offer all-day weekday access and limited Saturday hours. Farwell, Kemeny, and Williams Recreation Centers will also be available, giving families multiple options to step away from the rising temperatures.
Additionally, Detroit Public Library branches will double as heat relief locations, operating during their usual business hours. Each branch has air conditioning and places to sit and rest for those needing a moment of shelter from the heat. Residents can find library hours at www.detroitpubliclibrary.org/locations.
Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo stressed the importance of taking this heat seriously, especially for vulnerable communities. “We want all our residents to stay safe by using the cooling centers as a place of relief from the extreme heat,” she said. She also encouraged Detroiters to check in on neighbors, especially seniors and families with young children, and not to forget about pets, who also need cool air and water during high-heat days.
This uplifts the importance of community health. It’s imperative to make sure no one suffers quietly because they didn’t have a safe place to go. Extreme heat is a public health emergency—one that doesn’t always look dramatic but can turn deadly without warning.
The Detroit Health Department is urging residents to stay indoors as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., when sun exposure and heat levels are highest. Residents are encouraged to drink water frequently, wear light clothing, and be aware of early signs of heat-related illness. That includes lightheadedness, nausea, confusion, or unusually fast or slow heart rates. When those symptoms start showing up, it’s already a warning sign that something is wrong.
For those seeking more information, the city’s official website—www.detroitmi.gov/health—includes a list of ways to stay safe during extreme weather. The Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management also has a hub of resources for weather-related safety at www.detroitmi.gov/DHSEM under the “severe weather” section.
This heatwave is expected to linger into early next week, and Detroiters are urged to plan accordingly. Whether that means adjusting outdoor plans, taking extra care with elders or children, or simply making a note of the closest cooling center, now is the time to prepare. City officials are clear: everyone deserves access to safety, hydration, and dignity in this weather.
For families, for elders, for the unhoused, and for every person trying to make it through this stretch—Detroit has cooling centers ready. Let’s make sure the word gets out.
