State Park pools have extended hours to combat the heat wave. New York Governor Kathy Hochul is urging New Yorkers to prepare for a multi-day period of high outdoor temperatures affecting the Capital, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island regions.
By this Tuesday, heat alerts are expected to extend to much of the state, including the Southern Tier, the Mohawk Valley, central New York, the Finger Lakes and western New York, with temperatures ranging between 90 and 100 degrees F.
Wednesday will see temperatures topping 100 degrees F and some strong, severe thunderstorms possible, ahead of a cold front that will bring us several days of cooler, drier and less humid weather.
Governor Hochul directed the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to offer extended hours at swimming facilities and cooling centers, as well as other state parks, to help residents combat the current heat wave.
Pool availability may be affected by adverse weather conditions, changes in water conditions or staffing. See the State Parks website, at parks.ny.govor call the park you wish to visit directly to confirm availability, hours and operations.
The following State Park swimming facilities have extended hours:
– On Long Island:
Jones Beach State Park: Field 6, Central Mall and Field 2; extended swimming until 8:00 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday
Robert Moses State Park: Fields 2 and 5; extended swimming until 8:00 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday
Sunken Meadow State Park: Main Beach; Extended swimming until 8:00 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday
Hither Hills State Park: Extended swimming until 7:00 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday
Hecksher State Park: Extended swimming until 7:00 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday
Wildwood State Park: Extended swimming until 7:30 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday
– In New York City:
Gantry Plaza State Park: Sprinklers and misting fans installed throughout the park.
Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park: Indoor and outdoor pool, extended hours until 8:00 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Free mobile app
It should be noted that park status updates are also available in the free mobile application «NY State Parks Explorer» for iOS and Android devices.
“Extreme heat is dangerous and can be deadly if not taken seriously,” said Governor Hochul. “I urge residents to plan ahead to make sure they stay hydrated, reach out to their elderly neighbors, and find nearby cooling centers over the next few days.”
Extreme heat is dangerous and is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. The most common heat-related illnesses are heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat rash.
Learn more, including signs and symptoms and when to take action, on the New York State Department of Health’s extreme heat advisory webpage (at https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/weather/hot/).
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reportedly recently released draft Urban Heat Island maps to help communities better understand, plan for, and adapt to extreme heat exposure in their neighborhoods.
Links to the maps, as well as additional information and data, can be found on the DEC Extreme Heat Action Plan webpage (at https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/climate-change/effects-impacts/extreme-heat) and in nys-heat.daveyinstitute.com/hottest-hour.
The project advances a key action of the Extreme Heat Action Plan and a 2022 law signed by Governor Hochul that directs DEC to study the impacts of disproportionate concentrations of extreme heat on disadvantaged communities across the state.
